World News for 7 April TGB
USA—Ground-Based Training System For Red Hawk Trainer Passes Design Review Air Force Magazine | 04/07/2020 The U.S. Air Force and Boeing have successfully concluded the critical design review for the ground-based training system that will accompany the T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer aircraft, reports Air Force magazine. The review was conducted virtually over five days and covered the ability of the ground system "to conduct live, virtual and constructive training exercises through dynamic, motion-enabled trainer cockpits; high-resolution projection systems; digital debrief stations and simulated avionics; as well as egress training that will better prepare pilots for escaping an aircraft during an emergency," Boeing said on April 3. The milestone marks the conclusion of 18 months of development work, the magazine said. With the completion of the review, Boeing can begin fabrication of simulators and other devices for the training system. Boeing is under contract to build 46 simulators in addition to 351 Red Hawk training aircraft. The T-7A completed its critical design review in September. Initial operational capability for the system is scheduled for 2024.
USA—Raytheon, UTC Complete Merger Raytheon | 04/07/2020 Raytheon and United Technologies Corp. (UTC) have completed their merger and are now Raytheon Technologies, reports the newly formed company. The all-stock merger of equals transaction was completed on April 3. Both companies are selling off various subsidiaries as part of the merger, most of which are still to be concluded. UTC completed the divestiture of HVAC, refrigeration, fire and security solutions firm Carrier Global Corp. and elevator and escalator manufacturer Otis Worldwide Corp. prior to the merger, noted Defense News.
USA—Delaware Attack Sub Formally Joins Fleet Dept. Of Defense | 04/07/2020 The U.S. Navy has commissioned its latest Virginia-class attack submarine, reports the Dept. of Defense. The Delaware (SSN-791) officially entered service on April 4 and was immediately assigned to normal operations, said a Pentagon release. A commissioning ceremony was not held due to public health concerns involving the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). A ceremony with the crew, sponsor and commissioning committee may take place at a later date, the department said. The Delaware is the 18th Virginia-class sub to enter service and the last in the Block III configuration. Her keel was laid on April 20, 2016, and she was christened on Oct. 20, 2018.
USA—Russian White Supremacist Group Designated A Global Terrorist Entity U.S. State Dept. | 04/07/2020 The U.S. State Dept. has designated a Russian white supremacist group as a specially designated terrorist entity. On Monday, the department announced that it had designated the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM), a right-wing group with a racist ideology, as a terrorist group. Three of the group's leaders were also designated for sanctions: Stanislav Anatolyevich Vorobyev, Denis Valliullovich Gariev and Nikolay Nikolayevich Trushchalov. This is the first time that the U.S. has designated a foreign white supremacist group as a terrorist organization, Coordinator for Counterterrorism Amb. Nathan Sales told reporters. The group is believed to be responsible for training the terrorists who carried out a series of attacks in Sweden in 2016. It operates at least two training facilities near St. Petersburg. The designation prevents the group and its leaders from doing business with U.S. entities and traveling to the U.S.
United Kingdom—Poseidon Patrol Aircraft Fleet Reaches IOC Royal Air Force | 04/07/2020 The Royal Air Force has declared initial operational capability for its new fleet of Poseidon MRA Mk 1 maritime patrol aircraft. The fleet reached the milestone on schedule on April 1, with two of the nine aircraft on order in service, said an RAF release on April 3. The operational Poseidons are assigned to 54 and 120 Squadrons, currently based at Kinloss Airfield in Moray, Scotland. The fleet will move to RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland later this year after the completion of infrastructure improvements there.
United Kingdom—Johnson Becomes 1st Head Of State Hospitalized For COVID-19 British Broadcasting Corp. | 04/07/2020 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been hospitalized after continuing to suffer "persistent symptoms" of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), reports BBC News. Johnson was hospitalized in London on Sunday night, nine days after initially testing positive for COVID-19. He is the first head of state known to have been hospitalized by the virus. His symptoms at the time reportedly included a temperature and a cough. Unconfirmed reports suggested that he was administered oxygen when he arrived, reported the Washington Post. After his condition worsened on Monday, Johnson was moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital. Prior to entering the ICU, the prime minister had been communicating with his Cabinet and receiving briefings, officials said. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was filling in for Johnson during daily government meetings. Raab has since been formally asked to "deputize where necessary," a spokesman for the prime minister said.
Ukraine—Military Records 1st COVID-19 Fatality Unian News Agency | 04/07/2020 A Ukrainian soldier has died from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), reports the Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (UNIAN). On Monday, a female servicemember serving in the Ivano-Frankivsk region succumbed to the virus, becoming the first Ukrainian soldier to die from it, said the medical force command. She had begun receiving treatment on March 20 for a respiratory illness that was confirmed as COVID-19 on Monday, said the command. She was admitted to the hospital on March 27 and entered the intensive care unit on March 30. At least 87 military personnel are currently undergoing self-isolation, with four cases of the virus confirmed. Ukraine confirmed 1,462 COVID-19 cases across the country as of Tuesday morning, with 45 fatalities, reported the 112 International (Ukraine).
South Korea—U.S. Continues Recon Flights Near Border With N. Korea Yonhap | 04/07/2020 The U.S. has conducted another reconnaissance flight over the Korean peninsula, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). On Saturday, an Air Force RC-135W Rivet Joint intelligence aircraft was identified over the eastern province of Gangwon and as well as Gyeonggi province, near Seoul, according to the tracking platform Aircraft Spots. The latest flight took place after North Korea conducted a series of tests of a new super-large multiple rocket launcher last month as part of nationwide readiness drills. These were the first weapons tests in four months. American spy planes regularly fly over the peninsula. Such operations increased after a February 2019 meeting between President Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un failed to produce an agreement.
Afghanistan—Taliban Breaks Off Talks With Government Due To Delays In Prisoner Release TOLONews | 04/07/2020 The Taliban has suspended talks with the Afghan government on the release of prisoners, accusing Kabul of hindering the process, reports the Tolo News (Afghanistan). On Tuesday, a Taliban spokesman said that its representatives would not participate in a technical meeting to facilitate the releases that was scheduled for Wednesday. The group said repeated delays had made the promised release of Taliban fighters meaningless. A member of the negotiating team not affiliated with the Taliban said that the militants had broken off talks after the government refused to release 15 senior commanders who were involved in major attacks ahead of other prisoners, reported the Khaama Press (Afghanistan). A government spokesman said that Kabul would continue to work toward the release of the Taliban prisoners, reported Reuters. On Sunday, the Taliban criticized the U.S. for failing to uphold a February agreement, in which both sides agreed to cease direct hostilities in exchange for a drawdown and redeployment of U.S. troops. The accord included a prisoner exchange as part of efforts to build confidence between the Taliban and the Afghan government.
Syria—U.N. Report Avoids Blaming Russia For Attacks On Civilians In Syria Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty | 04/07/2020 A new U.N. report has concluded that the Syrian government and its allies were responsible for several attacks on civilian targets, reports Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. On Monday, the secretary-general's office published the executive summary of a 185-page confidential report to the Security Council, reported the Guardian (U.K.). The report faulted the Syrian government for conducting five attacks on clearly designated civilian sites, including a school and health facilities, in mid-2019. All of the sites had been registered as designated civilian facilities, the study says. Human-rights groups slammed the report for failing to specifically identify Russian responsibility for such attacks. New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized the language in the report, which it said was watered down to avoid offending Moscow. Russia is Syria's main economic and military sponsor and has provided air support to regime forces, including strikes on civilian sites, rights groups say. The Syrian regime and its allies have conducted more than 595 attacks on medical workers since the war began in 2011, with about 282 coming after Russia intervened in the conflict in 2015, according to data from Physicians for Human Rights, as cited by the New York Times.
Libya—U.N.-Backed Government Forces Down LNA Transport Aircraft South Of Tripoli Anadolu News Agency | 04/07/2020 A transport aircraft supporting forces aligned with Libyan National Army (LNA), backed by the unrecognized government in eastern Libya, has been shot down south of Tripoli, reports the Anadolu Agency (Ankara). The plane was shot down by Government of National Accord (GNA) forces on Sunday night while attempting to land at an airstrip in Tarhuna, south of Tripoli. The LNA controls Tarhuna and uses it as a main forward base for its battle against the U.N.-backed government in Tripoli. The GNA said the aircraft was carrying ammunition, while a spokesman with the LNA claimed the plane was carrying medical supplies to aid efforts against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), reported Reuters. No further details of the incident have been made public.
Tunisia—2 Terrorists Killed In Kasserine Op Tunis Afrique Presse | 04/07/2020 The Tunisian military has killed two terrorists in an operation in the mountainous Kasserine governorate on the border with Algeria, reports the Tunis Afrique Presse. On Saturday, army units backed by the national guard ambushed the terrorists on Mount Salloum. The operation was launched based on intelligence gathered by the guard on terrorist supply routes in the region. The militants were members of the Jund al-Khalafa group, which is linked to both the Islamic State and Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, reported Agence France-Presse. On Sunday, additional units were sent to the area to continue counterterrorism operations, national guard officials said. Following the attack, Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh emphasized that such operations would continue despite the ongoing outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Tunisia has been under a shutdown order since March 22 to limit the spread of the virus. The shutdown is currently scheduled to end on April 19.
Mali—2 Dozen Troops Killed In Militant Assault In North Agence France-Presse | 04/07/2020 At least 25 soldiers have been killed and six injured in a militant attack in Mali's northern Gao region, reports Agence France-Presse. On Monday, militants in cars and on motorbikes attacked the base in Bamba. Residents said that the attackers appeared to have begun preparations for the assault on Sunday. At least a dozen militants were neutralized in the fighting, the government said. No civilians were hurt in the attack, said a resident of the town. There were no immediate claims of responsibility. The military said that an investigation into the assault was ongoing and that reinforcements had been dispatched to the area. The assault comes amid Malian government efforts to negotiate with leaders of Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Al-Qaida affiliate in Mali.
Somalia—U.S. Airstrikes Kill 16 Suspected Al-Shabaab Fighters Africa Command | 04/07/2020 U.S. Africa Command, in cooperation with the Somali government, has conducted several airstrikes against Al-Shabaab terrorist targets in southern Somalia. On April 2, an AFRICOM air attack near Bush Madina in the Bay region killed three terrorists, reported the command. The next day, the U.S. conducted another strike in the same area, killing five militants. Finally, on April 5, American. aircraft attacked Al-Shabaab fighters near Mubaraak, killing eight. AFRICOM assessed that no civilians were killed or injured in the strikes.
Sudan—Government Finalizes Settlement With Families Of Victims Of USS Cole Attack Anadolu News Agency | 04/07/2020 The Sudanese government and the families of those killed in the 2000 terrorist attack against the destroyer USS Cole in Aden have reached a final settlement, reports the Anadolu Agency (Ankara). On Friday, the Sudanese Justice Ministry submitted a petition with the families in the U.S. district court of Virginia to end pending lawsuits as a result of the agreement, reported the Sudan Tribune (Paris). On Sunday, the finance ministry confirmed the payment of compensation to the family members. In February, Khartoum agreed to pay US$30 million to the family members of those killed in the attack, which was claimed by Al-Qaida. Seventeen sailors were killed and 39 injured. In 2014, a U.S. court ruled that Sudan's support for the terrorist group had contributed to the deaths of U.S. troops and ordered Khartoum to pay damages. Sudan appealed and in March 2019 and the U.S. the Supreme Court vacated the ruling on a technicality. The government later agreed to the settlement after the April 2019 ouster of President Omar Bashir. The justice ministry emphasized that the payment was not an acknowledgment of any Sudanese involvement in the attack but was part of efforts to get Sudan removed from Washington's terrorism blacklist.
Brazil—Military Report Recommends Strong Measures To Slow COVID-19 Reuters | 04/07/2020 A Brazilian army center has called for greater measures to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), reports Reuters. The April 2 report from the CEEEx strategic studies center called for increased social distancing measures to slow the spread of the virus. Such an aggressive approach contradicts the position of President Jair Bolsonaro, who has resisted broad measures to fight the spread of the virus in favor of a targeted strategy isolating only those suspected of carrying COVID-19. Bolsonaro's position has split members of his Cabinet, with top military members siding with Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta in favor of enforcing restrictions on movement. The study was made public on the CEEEx website last week but was apparently taken down on Monday. An army spokesman said the site was undergoing maintenance. The virus has spread rapidly in Brazil over the last week, with 12,240 confirmed cases and 566 deaths, according to the John's Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center.
USA—Ground-Based Training System For Red Hawk Trainer Passes Design Review Air Force Magazine | 04/07/2020 The U.S. Air Force and Boeing have successfully concluded the critical design review for the ground-based training system that will accompany the T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer aircraft, reports Air Force magazine. The review was conducted virtually over five days and covered the ability of the ground system "to conduct live, virtual and constructive training exercises through dynamic, motion-enabled trainer cockpits; high-resolution projection systems; digital debrief stations and simulated avionics; as well as egress training that will better prepare pilots for escaping an aircraft during an emergency," Boeing said on April 3. The milestone marks the conclusion of 18 months of development work, the magazine said. With the completion of the review, Boeing can begin fabrication of simulators and other devices for the training system. Boeing is under contract to build 46 simulators in addition to 351 Red Hawk training aircraft. The T-7A completed its critical design review in September. Initial operational capability for the system is scheduled for 2024.
USA—Raytheon, UTC Complete Merger Raytheon | 04/07/2020 Raytheon and United Technologies Corp. (UTC) have completed their merger and are now Raytheon Technologies, reports the newly formed company. The all-stock merger of equals transaction was completed on April 3. Both companies are selling off various subsidiaries as part of the merger, most of which are still to be concluded. UTC completed the divestiture of HVAC, refrigeration, fire and security solutions firm Carrier Global Corp. and elevator and escalator manufacturer Otis Worldwide Corp. prior to the merger, noted Defense News.
USA—Delaware Attack Sub Formally Joins Fleet Dept. Of Defense | 04/07/2020 The U.S. Navy has commissioned its latest Virginia-class attack submarine, reports the Dept. of Defense. The Delaware (SSN-791) officially entered service on April 4 and was immediately assigned to normal operations, said a Pentagon release. A commissioning ceremony was not held due to public health concerns involving the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). A ceremony with the crew, sponsor and commissioning committee may take place at a later date, the department said. The Delaware is the 18th Virginia-class sub to enter service and the last in the Block III configuration. Her keel was laid on April 20, 2016, and she was christened on Oct. 20, 2018.
USA—Russian White Supremacist Group Designated A Global Terrorist Entity U.S. State Dept. | 04/07/2020 The U.S. State Dept. has designated a Russian white supremacist group as a specially designated terrorist entity. On Monday, the department announced that it had designated the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM), a right-wing group with a racist ideology, as a terrorist group. Three of the group's leaders were also designated for sanctions: Stanislav Anatolyevich Vorobyev, Denis Valliullovich Gariev and Nikolay Nikolayevich Trushchalov. This is the first time that the U.S. has designated a foreign white supremacist group as a terrorist organization, Coordinator for Counterterrorism Amb. Nathan Sales told reporters. The group is believed to be responsible for training the terrorists who carried out a series of attacks in Sweden in 2016. It operates at least two training facilities near St. Petersburg. The designation prevents the group and its leaders from doing business with U.S. entities and traveling to the U.S.
United Kingdom—Poseidon Patrol Aircraft Fleet Reaches IOC Royal Air Force | 04/07/2020 The Royal Air Force has declared initial operational capability for its new fleet of Poseidon MRA Mk 1 maritime patrol aircraft. The fleet reached the milestone on schedule on April 1, with two of the nine aircraft on order in service, said an RAF release on April 3. The operational Poseidons are assigned to 54 and 120 Squadrons, currently based at Kinloss Airfield in Moray, Scotland. The fleet will move to RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland later this year after the completion of infrastructure improvements there.
United Kingdom—Johnson Becomes 1st Head Of State Hospitalized For COVID-19 British Broadcasting Corp. | 04/07/2020 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been hospitalized after continuing to suffer "persistent symptoms" of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), reports BBC News. Johnson was hospitalized in London on Sunday night, nine days after initially testing positive for COVID-19. He is the first head of state known to have been hospitalized by the virus. His symptoms at the time reportedly included a temperature and a cough. Unconfirmed reports suggested that he was administered oxygen when he arrived, reported the Washington Post. After his condition worsened on Monday, Johnson was moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital. Prior to entering the ICU, the prime minister had been communicating with his Cabinet and receiving briefings, officials said. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was filling in for Johnson during daily government meetings. Raab has since been formally asked to "deputize where necessary," a spokesman for the prime minister said.
Ukraine—Military Records 1st COVID-19 Fatality Unian News Agency | 04/07/2020 A Ukrainian soldier has died from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), reports the Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (UNIAN). On Monday, a female servicemember serving in the Ivano-Frankivsk region succumbed to the virus, becoming the first Ukrainian soldier to die from it, said the medical force command. She had begun receiving treatment on March 20 for a respiratory illness that was confirmed as COVID-19 on Monday, said the command. She was admitted to the hospital on March 27 and entered the intensive care unit on March 30. At least 87 military personnel are currently undergoing self-isolation, with four cases of the virus confirmed. Ukraine confirmed 1,462 COVID-19 cases across the country as of Tuesday morning, with 45 fatalities, reported the 112 International (Ukraine).
South Korea—U.S. Continues Recon Flights Near Border With N. Korea Yonhap | 04/07/2020 The U.S. has conducted another reconnaissance flight over the Korean peninsula, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). On Saturday, an Air Force RC-135W Rivet Joint intelligence aircraft was identified over the eastern province of Gangwon and as well as Gyeonggi province, near Seoul, according to the tracking platform Aircraft Spots. The latest flight took place after North Korea conducted a series of tests of a new super-large multiple rocket launcher last month as part of nationwide readiness drills. These were the first weapons tests in four months. American spy planes regularly fly over the peninsula. Such operations increased after a February 2019 meeting between President Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un failed to produce an agreement.
Afghanistan—Taliban Breaks Off Talks With Government Due To Delays In Prisoner Release TOLONews | 04/07/2020 The Taliban has suspended talks with the Afghan government on the release of prisoners, accusing Kabul of hindering the process, reports the Tolo News (Afghanistan). On Tuesday, a Taliban spokesman said that its representatives would not participate in a technical meeting to facilitate the releases that was scheduled for Wednesday. The group said repeated delays had made the promised release of Taliban fighters meaningless. A member of the negotiating team not affiliated with the Taliban said that the militants had broken off talks after the government refused to release 15 senior commanders who were involved in major attacks ahead of other prisoners, reported the Khaama Press (Afghanistan). A government spokesman said that Kabul would continue to work toward the release of the Taliban prisoners, reported Reuters. On Sunday, the Taliban criticized the U.S. for failing to uphold a February agreement, in which both sides agreed to cease direct hostilities in exchange for a drawdown and redeployment of U.S. troops. The accord included a prisoner exchange as part of efforts to build confidence between the Taliban and the Afghan government.
Syria—U.N. Report Avoids Blaming Russia For Attacks On Civilians In Syria Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty | 04/07/2020 A new U.N. report has concluded that the Syrian government and its allies were responsible for several attacks on civilian targets, reports Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. On Monday, the secretary-general's office published the executive summary of a 185-page confidential report to the Security Council, reported the Guardian (U.K.). The report faulted the Syrian government for conducting five attacks on clearly designated civilian sites, including a school and health facilities, in mid-2019. All of the sites had been registered as designated civilian facilities, the study says. Human-rights groups slammed the report for failing to specifically identify Russian responsibility for such attacks. New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized the language in the report, which it said was watered down to avoid offending Moscow. Russia is Syria's main economic and military sponsor and has provided air support to regime forces, including strikes on civilian sites, rights groups say. The Syrian regime and its allies have conducted more than 595 attacks on medical workers since the war began in 2011, with about 282 coming after Russia intervened in the conflict in 2015, according to data from Physicians for Human Rights, as cited by the New York Times.
Libya—U.N.-Backed Government Forces Down LNA Transport Aircraft South Of Tripoli Anadolu News Agency | 04/07/2020 A transport aircraft supporting forces aligned with Libyan National Army (LNA), backed by the unrecognized government in eastern Libya, has been shot down south of Tripoli, reports the Anadolu Agency (Ankara). The plane was shot down by Government of National Accord (GNA) forces on Sunday night while attempting to land at an airstrip in Tarhuna, south of Tripoli. The LNA controls Tarhuna and uses it as a main forward base for its battle against the U.N.-backed government in Tripoli. The GNA said the aircraft was carrying ammunition, while a spokesman with the LNA claimed the plane was carrying medical supplies to aid efforts against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), reported Reuters. No further details of the incident have been made public.
Tunisia—2 Terrorists Killed In Kasserine Op Tunis Afrique Presse | 04/07/2020 The Tunisian military has killed two terrorists in an operation in the mountainous Kasserine governorate on the border with Algeria, reports the Tunis Afrique Presse. On Saturday, army units backed by the national guard ambushed the terrorists on Mount Salloum. The operation was launched based on intelligence gathered by the guard on terrorist supply routes in the region. The militants were members of the Jund al-Khalafa group, which is linked to both the Islamic State and Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, reported Agence France-Presse. On Sunday, additional units were sent to the area to continue counterterrorism operations, national guard officials said. Following the attack, Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh emphasized that such operations would continue despite the ongoing outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Tunisia has been under a shutdown order since March 22 to limit the spread of the virus. The shutdown is currently scheduled to end on April 19.
Mali—2 Dozen Troops Killed In Militant Assault In North Agence France-Presse | 04/07/2020 At least 25 soldiers have been killed and six injured in a militant attack in Mali's northern Gao region, reports Agence France-Presse. On Monday, militants in cars and on motorbikes attacked the base in Bamba. Residents said that the attackers appeared to have begun preparations for the assault on Sunday. At least a dozen militants were neutralized in the fighting, the government said. No civilians were hurt in the attack, said a resident of the town. There were no immediate claims of responsibility. The military said that an investigation into the assault was ongoing and that reinforcements had been dispatched to the area. The assault comes amid Malian government efforts to negotiate with leaders of Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Al-Qaida affiliate in Mali.
Somalia—U.S. Airstrikes Kill 16 Suspected Al-Shabaab Fighters Africa Command | 04/07/2020 U.S. Africa Command, in cooperation with the Somali government, has conducted several airstrikes against Al-Shabaab terrorist targets in southern Somalia. On April 2, an AFRICOM air attack near Bush Madina in the Bay region killed three terrorists, reported the command. The next day, the U.S. conducted another strike in the same area, killing five militants. Finally, on April 5, American. aircraft attacked Al-Shabaab fighters near Mubaraak, killing eight. AFRICOM assessed that no civilians were killed or injured in the strikes.
Sudan—Government Finalizes Settlement With Families Of Victims Of USS Cole Attack Anadolu News Agency | 04/07/2020 The Sudanese government and the families of those killed in the 2000 terrorist attack against the destroyer USS Cole in Aden have reached a final settlement, reports the Anadolu Agency (Ankara). On Friday, the Sudanese Justice Ministry submitted a petition with the families in the U.S. district court of Virginia to end pending lawsuits as a result of the agreement, reported the Sudan Tribune (Paris). On Sunday, the finance ministry confirmed the payment of compensation to the family members. In February, Khartoum agreed to pay US$30 million to the family members of those killed in the attack, which was claimed by Al-Qaida. Seventeen sailors were killed and 39 injured. In 2014, a U.S. court ruled that Sudan's support for the terrorist group had contributed to the deaths of U.S. troops and ordered Khartoum to pay damages. Sudan appealed and in March 2019 and the U.S. the Supreme Court vacated the ruling on a technicality. The government later agreed to the settlement after the April 2019 ouster of President Omar Bashir. The justice ministry emphasized that the payment was not an acknowledgment of any Sudanese involvement in the attack but was part of efforts to get Sudan removed from Washington's terrorism blacklist.
Brazil—Military Report Recommends Strong Measures To Slow COVID-19 Reuters | 04/07/2020 A Brazilian army center has called for greater measures to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), reports Reuters. The April 2 report from the CEEEx strategic studies center called for increased social distancing measures to slow the spread of the virus. Such an aggressive approach contradicts the position of President Jair Bolsonaro, who has resisted broad measures to fight the spread of the virus in favor of a targeted strategy isolating only those suspected of carrying COVID-19. Bolsonaro's position has split members of his Cabinet, with top military members siding with Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta in favor of enforcing restrictions on movement. The study was made public on the CEEEx website last week but was apparently taken down on Monday. An army spokesman said the site was undergoing maintenance. The virus has spread rapidly in Brazil over the last week, with 12,240 confirmed cases and 566 deaths, according to the John's Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center.
