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India posts record daily rise in COVID-19 cases of 401,993 https://t.co/f6yQgiZFSh pic.twitter.com/mUXgVqIaUj — Reuters (@Reuters) May 1, 2021 The number of targets of secretive surveillance in national security investigations fell sharply last year in large part because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a government report. https://t.co/T6wabioy72 — The Associated Press (@AP) April 30, 2021 #UPDATES President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi announces a "state of siege" in two troubled provinces in the east of the country, North Kivu and Ituri, racked by violence from armed groups pic.twitter.com/c5vnNK01kB — AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 1, 2021 Stratolaunch’s carrier aircraft 'Roc,' the world's largest airplane, flies over California's Mojave Desert pic.twitter.com/HPXBYiWbn8 — Reuters (@Reuters) May 1, 2021 A 1,692-foot (516-meter) bridge has opened in Arouca, Portugal, making it the longest pedestrian bridge in ...

Health workers carry wood to prepare a funeral pyre for a coronavirus victim during a mass cremation at a crematorium in New Delhi, April 26. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi   WNU Editor: The above picture is from this photo-gallery .... Inside India's COVID nightmare (Reuters). from War News Updates https://ift.tt/3ufagYk via IFTTT

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  ABC News (Australia): Indonesia's sunken submarine may have been hit by a powerful force known as an internal wave   As an Indonesian navy submarine crewed by 53 men glided below the surface of the Bali Sea during a routine training exercise, it may have been hit by an invisible but powerful force that dragged them to the deep.  Indonesian navy officials suspect an internal solitary wave, known to occur in the seas around Bali, may have caused the sinking of KRI Nanggala 402, and the loss of its 53 crew.  The vessel sank to a depth of 838 metres, far beyond the reach of rescuers.  As the personal effects of crew members floated up and the oxygen supply on board slowly dwindled, officials said there was no chance anyone survived. The question remained:  What went wrong?   Read more ....  WNU Editor: The Indonesian navy has said that it will salvage the sub .... Indonesia says it will salvage submarine that sank off Bali (Al Jazeera)....

Daily Mail: Bodies of 22 coronavirus victims are stuffed into an overloaded ambulance in India - as experts raise the terrifying prospect of 30,000 deaths a day with warning that real infections are TEN TIMES higher than official count    * Police snatched the phones out of people's hands as they tried to photograph the ambulance in city of Beed  * It is seen sagging under the weight of 22 corpses piled on top of each other before heading to crematorium   * Another 386,452 infections and 3,498 deaths were recorded on Friday - but medics have warned the true figures could be up to ten times higher - meaning there are 3 million infections and 30,000 deaths every day  * The country of 1.4 billion is in the eye of the world's Covid storm, with funeral pyres burning around the clock in Delhi and Mumbai and hospitals under armed guard to protect oxygen supplies   * Despite emergency gear arriving from Britain and the United States, including a US...

  DW: India's neighbors on alert for 'double mutant' COVID variant   Countries in South Asia are watching out for a potentially more infectious coronavirus variant crossing the border from India. COVID-19 case numbers are currently rising in several countries.  As India's second coronavirus wave surges across the country, neighbors such as Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan are also reporting a recent increase in new cases. This has prompted authorities in these countries to close borders and restrict travel.  However, some of these borders are porous, with many people crossing back and forth every day. Scientists are examining whether a new "double mutant" coronavirus variant is driving India's current outbreak.   Read more ....   WNU Editor: It is safe to say that India's 'double mutant' Covid variant can now be found worldwide. See below.  More News On India's "Double Mutant' COVID Variant   France detects three cases o...

  From YouTube: Set in London in the early 1970s, it tells the story of former secret agent Robert Elliot who is being promoted to a government advisor. To eliminate any ties to his past, Elliot devises and carries out a clever plan in which his four former associates will unwittingly kill each other on the same night. from War News Updates https://ift.tt/3xBNeg8 via IFTTT

  Rebecca Morelle, BBC: Why India's Covid crisis matters to the whole world   The harrowing scenes from India have shocked the world, as the country struggles with soaring cases of Covid. But the outbreak isn't just a crisis for India - it's a crisis for everyone.  "The virus doesn't respect borders, or nationalities, or age, or sex or religion," says Dr Soumya Swaminathan, the World Health Organization's chief scientist.  "And what's playing out in India now unfortunately has been played out in other countries."   Read more ....  Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 30, 2021  How continental Europe is emerging from Covid lockdown -- Jon Henley, The Guardian   Why Mohammed bin Salman Suddenly Wants to Talk to Iran -- Trita Parsi, Foreign Policy   Biden’s $90 Billion Bailout to Tehran -- L. Graham & M. Ortagus, Foreign Policy  US talks with Iran on nuclear deal are bound to sink -- Lenny Ben-David, Jerusale...

  Daily Mail: US is FINALLY set to order travel restrictions for India where medics claim 30,000 are dying a DAY from three new deadly Covid variants in raging new epidemic: 14 direct flights a day coming to America   * The US government is finally set to enforce travel restrictions from India but the ban, which only applies to non-US citizens, won't come into effect until Tuesday  * It comes days after the State Department issued a Level 4 travel advisory, which is the highest alert of its kind, urging all Americans to leave India if they can because of the current COVID-19 outbreak there  * Until now, there was no word on whether the US government would issue any travel restrictions despite there still being bans in place on the UK, South Africa , Brazil and a number of European countries  * India is currently experiencing a catastrophic second wave that is, in part, fueled by a deadly Indian variant known as B.1.617  * The Indian variant has alre...

The Liaoning aircraft carrier is accompanied by frigates and submarines on April 12, 2018, conducting exercises in the South China Sea. (Li Gang/Xinhua)   The Hill: China: US military activity increasing under Biden administration   China's defense ministry on Thursday accused the U.S. of increasing military action specifically targeting Beijing, including surveillance activity and other movements through Chinese-claimed airspace and waters.  The Associated Press reported that a spokesperson for China's defense forces accused the Biden administration of ramping up aerial activities in Chinese-claimed airspace by 40 percent, while naval activity had increased by 20 percent in Chinese-claimed waters.   Read more ....  Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 30, 2021   China says US increasing military activity directed at it -- AP   JF-17 fighter jet gets J-20’s combat missile: reports -- Global Times   US, China Clash Near Taiwa...

 MTU Aero Engines, Safran Aircraft Engines, and ITP Aero came to an overall agreement on the cooperation to provide a jointly developed, produced and supported engine to power the Next-Generation Fighter (NGF), which is a core element of FCAS (Future Combat Air System). Read full news at this link 1:1 mock-up of the Next Generation Fighter - core element of FCAS / Future Combat Air System -  showcased during Paris Air Show 2019 (Picture source: Air Recognition) Read more from World Defence News https://ift.tt/2Shk9Xe via IFTTT

Taiwan finally reached an agreement with the U.S. on April 28 to inspect its Patriot III missiles at an undisclosed American military base, Kelvin Chen reports in Taiwan News. This inspection will take place after administrative errors were corrected. Read full news at this link... Firing of a Patriot missile (Picture source: U.S. DoD) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/3nHwyzq via IFTTT

Saab has, with strong support from the Swedish Government, submitted its Best and Final Offer (BAFO) to the Finnish defence procurement agency for the Finnish HX fighter procurement. The proposal comprises 64 Gripen E fighter aircraft and an extensive weapons package, as well as two GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft. This constitutes the response to the customer’s January 2021 request for a BAFO. Finland is replacing the capability provided by its current fleet of F/A-18 C/D Hornet aircraft. Read full news at this link Saab offers comprises 64 Gripen E fighter aircraft and an extensive weapons package, as well as two GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft (Picture source: Saab) Read more from World Defence News https://ift.tt/3nGSTgn via IFTTT

  The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) carried out a flight test of the M51 strategic ballistic missile from the DGA Missile Testing center in Biscarrosse (South-West Coast of France). Full video at this link Full video here from World Defence News https://ift.tt/3nBxDIX via IFTTT

According to the Hindustan Times, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to lease A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT ) from France. A first one for training purposes then five more in a second time to serve as tankers for IAF's fighters. Read full news at this link A330 MRTT during desert knight 21 exercise (Picture source: Armée de l'air) Read more from World Defence News https://ift.tt/33fiXWJ via IFTTT

 According to a press release published by SEA on April 30, 2021, the British company has been awarded a new contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to manage and update in-service sonar equipment. Read full news at this link KraitArray radar (Picture source: SEA) Read more from World Defence News https://ift.tt/3u6lUoj via IFTTT

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on April 29 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of Heavy Armored Combat Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.685 billion.  The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale. Read full news at this link... Australian M1A1 Abrams during exercise Hamel 15, a sub-mission of exercise Talisman Sabre 2015 in Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia, on July 14, 2015 (Picture source: Australian DoD/Wikimedia Commons) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/3nBnc80 via IFTTT

 The U.S. government and Lockheed Martin submitted an F-35 best and final offer (BAFO) on April 29, 2021, to the Finnish government in support of its competition to replace its current fighter fleet. Read full news at this link F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, fly in formation over the Utah Test and Training Range, March 30, 2017  (Picture source: US Air Force) Read more from World Defence News https://ift.tt/2Sh1x9O via IFTTT

 The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of CH-47F Chinook helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $259 million.  The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on April 29. Read full news at this link An Australian CH-47F carrying a M777A2 howitzer during a training exercise in 2016 (Picture source: US Marine Corps) Read more from World Defence News https://ift.tt/32Z4D4k via IFTTT

The U.S. Department of Defense announced on April 29 that Oshkosh Defense was awarded a $96,744,706 firm-fixed-price contract for the M983A4 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Read full news at this link... Oshkosh Defense M983A4 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck with a Patriot air defense system (Picture source: Army Recognition) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/3aRiGxc via IFTTT

South Korea decided Monday to develop an indigenous attack helicopter for Marine Corps operations, the arms procurement agency said. The defense project promotion committee, presided over by Defense Minister Suh Wook, approved the project, which is to begin in earnest next year and to be completed in around 2031 with a budget of 1.6 trillion won (US$1.44 billion), according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).The new platform is likely to be based on a MUH-1 Marineon, the Marine variant of the country's KUH-1 Surion helicopter, according to officials. "We've taken into consideration diverse factors such as the interoperability with the Marineon and the operations and management efficiency," DAPA said in a statement. "The project is expected to enhance our troops' capabilities, particularly in northwestern islands (near the inter-Korean border)." from Asian Defence News https://ift.tt/3e6Y8Tz via IFTTT

  The delay in the delivery of the Royal Malaysian Navy's littoral combat ships (LCS) will be brought to the Cabinet to ascertain the best solution, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. He said that the matter is crucial to determine the future of the project as well as the fate of 10,000 workers and vendors who are affected due to the delay."We will bring the matter to the Cabinet to get solutions. There are two options, the first of which is for Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) to have a new direction that will be presented in the Cabinet to enable the project to continue. "If this does not obtain Cabinet approval, a new company will be appointed. So far, we are leaning towards the first option," he said.Ismail Sabri was speaking to reporters after witnessing a demonstration of the Fast Interceptor Craft at the RMN base here today.He said the Cabinet will come up with a decision soon. He also hoped that the issue on workers who have lost t...

 The U.S. State Department approved two potential arms deals to Australia, totaling $1.94 billion on Thursday, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSA) said in a release. In the first, the United States would sell 160 M1A1 tank structures to build M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles and other vehicles, altogether worth $1.685 billion.The heavy armed combat systems deal would enhance the "lethality, survivability, and interoperability of the Australian Army" and "strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats."The principal contractors for the deal would be General Dynamics Land Systems, BAE Systems Leonardo DRS and Honeywell Aerospace. The second deal involves the sale of four CH-47F cargo helicopters and related equipment worth $259 million, according to a DSCA press release.The aircraft would be provided from U.S. Army stock, and "will improve Australia's capability to meet current and future threats, i...

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during a joint news conference with Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard following their talks in Moscow, Russia, on April 28, 2021. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP)   TASS: Lavrov: Russia-West relations are worse than in Cold War era   Russia's top diplomat voiced the hope people in the West were aware of how precarious this situation was  MOSCOW, April 16. /TASS/. Relations between Moscow and the West are worse than in the Cold War era, because before there were certain communication channels between the parties concerned and no obsession with Russophobia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the BBC in an interview. An extract from the interview was published on Monday.   Read more ....  Update #1: Russian minister: U.S.-Russia ties worse than during Cold War (AP)   Update #2: Top Russia diplomat: At least during the Cold War, there was 'mutual respect' with US (The Hill)...

  John McLaughlin, Ozy: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Reality of Afghanistan   The Taliban are strong and well-armed. The elected government is weak, corruption is rife, and government security forces are struggling. What could go wrong?   President’s Joe Biden’s decision to bring all U.S. troops home from Afghanistan by Sept. 11 has provoked enormous controversy across the political spectrum.  Opinion divides between those outraged by what they see as a potentially disastrous “cut and run” decision and those who insist that keeping troops there would just prolong an unwinnable war that has already consumed 20 years and many lives.  Critics and supporters are about equally divided, and each side can make a good case, so let’s peel back the arguments to see what’s underneath.  Read more ....   Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 29, 2021   Afghanistan: How Six Good Reasons Can Still Lead to a Bad Decision -- Tim Willase...

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  Times of Israel: 40 people crushed to death, dozens hurt at mass Lag B’Omer event in Mt. Meron   More than 65 injured, many in critical condition as ambulances, helicopters evacuate victims from largest gathering held in Israel since COVID outbreak; IDF sends rescue team  At least 40 people were crushed to death and more than 65 people hurt, including many in critical condition, in a stampede after midnight Thursday at a mass gathering to celebrate the Lag B’Omer holiday at Mount Meron, medics said.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident “a terrible disaster.”   Read more ....  MIDDLE EAST  Iran's Zarif backs Yemen ceasefire in talks with Houthi leader.   Iran welcomes Saudi change of tone, sees 'new chapter'.   Millions at risk from Covid surge in Syria amid test and oxygen shortages.   Blinken meets Israel spy chief about Iran concerns: Report.   Turkey’s central bank hikes inflation forecast to 12....