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The Philippine Navy through Naval Forces Western Mindanao  (NFWM) successfully tests the Spike ER Missile during its Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) events at vicinity 17.8 nautical miles South West off Salkulakit Island, Basilan Province on October 28, 2021.     from Asian Defence News https://ift.tt/3BsnB2d via IFTTT

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Phantom of the Raptor from Dustin Farrell (www.dfvc.com) on Vimeo . KSL.com: Have You Seen This? Slo-mo video of a F-22 Raptor is the coolest thing you'll see today   THE SKIES — I'm not sure why pretty much all humans are fascinated by flight, but we are.  Ever since we were little kids. we'd get excited when we'd see a plane fly overhead. Pretty much every person on the planet wanted to be a pilot at some point in their life.  A lot of us also have those dreams we can fly, and we envy Superman's power of flight. Maybe it's the freedom of shooting across the sky and taking a dive through the clouds. Whatever it is, there is something about the sky that calls to us all, even when you have a fear of heights.   Read more ....   WNU Editor: Cool! from War News Updates https://ift.tt/3jPkoUn via IFTTT

Indigo Defender A sailor fires a .50-caliber machine gun aboard the USS O’Kane in the Red Sea, Oct. 25, 2021, during Indigo Defender, a bilateral maritime exercise.    WNU Editor: The above picture is from U.S. Department of Defense Photo-Gallery Page ( link here ). from War News Updates https://ift.tt/3CxTEil via IFTTT

  Zero Hedge: OPEC+ Balks At Biden's Demands For More Oil Production   With oil prices rising to levels last seen during the OPEC Thanksgiving massacre of 2014, developed nations - having realized they made an epic blunder by pushing the Net Zero lunacy far too hard, leaving the oil and gas industry with not nearly enough growth spending to keep the price of oil from surging ( as we discussed in "One Bank Crunches The Numbers On Oil Supply/Demand Dynamics, Reaches A Shocking Conclusion" ) ... are now stuck begging OPEC+ to produce more, as the alternative is even higher oil prices and attendant social unrest as even ESG posterchild Larry Fink admits.   Speaking to reporters in Rome, a senior US official said that the U.S. is talking to other energy-consuming nations about how to press OPEC+ to boost output to address the current supply crunch. That such pleas aimed at OPEC+ come from the same admin which ended the Keystone XL pipeline on its first day, and has done e...

The Wuhan Institute of Virology during the WHO visit earlier this year. China has lashed out at the US over a fuller report on the origins of Covid-19. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters  The Guardian/AFP: China rejects US intelligence report on Covid origins as ‘political and false’   Beijing has reacted angrily to the report, which said China was hindering investigations into source of the pandemic  Beijing has lashed out against a US intelligence review into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, calling it “political and false” while urging Washington to stop attacking China.  The Chinese foreign ministry’s retort came on Sunday, days after the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a fuller version of its findings from a 90-day review ordered by president Joe Biden.  The paper said that, without new information, intelligence agencies would not be able to offer a better judgment on whether the virus emerged via animal-to-human transmi...

A medical worker in protective suit collects a swab from a resident following new Covid-19 cases in Lanzhou's Chengguan district in China. (Photo: Reuters)   Business Insider : Chinese COVID-19 outbreak 'developing rapidly,' health officials say   * China has recorded 72 cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, a 70% jump.  * The outbreak is centered in the northeast of the country.  * Health experts say the outbreak is "developing rapidly" with the virus being "severe."  China's latest COVID-19 outbreak is "developing rapidly," a health official warned, according to Reuters.  The country has seen 377 cases of COVID-19 between October 17-29, according to National Health Commission (NHC) data.  At the time of writing, China has reported 72 cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, according to the World Health Organization, representing a 70% increase in the virus diagnosis.  Read more ....  More News On Covid-19 In China   Chin...

  Euronews: Russia and much of eastern Europe struggle to contain COVID-19 cases   Hospitals in Romania are continuing to feel the strain, with rising numbers deaths due to COVID-19.  Medical staff are under huge pressure and patients who survived long periods in intensive care units have spoken about the mental pressures of knowing that many people around them have died.  Last week it was reported that the pace of vaccination had more than doubled after the country recorded its highest daily COVID-19 death toll since the beginning of the pandemic.   Read more ....  More News On Eastern Europe Struggling To Contain COVID-19 Cases   Eastern European nations facing sharp spike in Covid-19 cases, with low rates of vaccination undermining efforts to end pandemic -- RT   Vaccine reluctance in Eastern Europe brings high COVID cost -- AP   Russia reports an all-time high of 40,993 daily coronavirus cases -- TASS   Russia imposes...

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Angelina Mangram administers the COVID-19 vaccine at the Naval Base San Diego fitness center in January 2021. (Petty Officer 1st Class Julio Rivera/ U.S. Navy) Newsweek : Nearly 70 Percent Of The Army Is Fully Vaccinated, Pentagon Says   Nearly 70 percent of the U.S. Army is fully vaccinated, according to Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.   Kirby shared Army vaccination statistics with Navy Times. As of Friday, 97 percent of the active-duty force has received one of the two-dose vaccine, while 87 percent is fully vaccinated. Also, including the Reserve and National Guard, 82 percent of military personnel are at least partially vaccinated, while 68 percent are fully vaccinated.  "We're going to make sure that every individual who has reservations about taking the vaccine, for whatever reason, is properly counseled about the safety and the efficacy of the vaccines, and the health risks for not taking it," Kirby told the Army Times in August. ...

Senior Airman Rendall Powell of the 412th Test Wing receives a COVID-19 vaccination shot from Lt. Col. Yvonne Storey at the Airman and Family Readiness Center on Edwards Air Force Base in California in August. (Air Force photo by Katherine Franco   Seattle Times/Washington Post: Air Force is first military branch to face rejection of vaccine mandate as thousands avoid shots   Up to 12,000 Air Force personnel have rejected orders to get fully vaccinated against the coronavirus despite a Pentagon mandate and officials say it is too late for them to do so by Tuesday’s deadline, posing a first major test for military leaders whose August directive has been met with defiance among a segment of the force.  The vast majority of active-duty airmen, 96.4%, are at least partially vaccinated, according to data from the Air Force. But officials have warned that, barring an approved medical or religious exemption, those who defy lawful orders to be fully immunized are subject t...

  The Hill: White House's Psaki tests positive for COVID-19   White House press secretary Jen Psaki tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, becoming the highest-ranking White House official to publicly disclose they contracted the virus.  "While I have not had close contact in person with the President or senior members of the White House staff since Wednesday — and tested negative for four days after that last contact — I am disclosing today’s positive test out of an abundance of transparency," she said in a statement.  "I last saw the President on Tuesday, when we sat outside more than six-feet apart, and wore masks."  White House press secretary Jen Psaki tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, becoming the highest-ranking White House official to publicly disclose they contracted the virus.  "While I have not had close contact in person with the President or senior members of the White House staff since Wednesday — and tested negative for four da...

Good Sunday morning — We have a brand new NBC News poll out this morning that's filled with tough news for Democrats. The country is headed — In the right direction: 22 On wrong track: 71 President Biden’s job performance — Approve: 42 Disapprove: 54 pic.twitter.com/tjKLBMjd2i — Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) October 31, 2021 WNU Editor: NBC News is acknowledging the obvious, and they are not alone. Rasmussen's Daily Presidential Tracking Poll numbers continue to show President Biden polling lower than President Trump at this point in his Presidency ( link here ). from War News Updates https://ift.tt/3By70d2 via IFTTT

  CNN: Biden says international support for him is strong despite domestic struggles   (CNN)President Joe Biden told reporters during his first news conference in months that he was encouraged by how he was received at this weekend's Group of 20 Leadership Summit in Rome, dismissing concerns that allies might not take solace in his pledge to turn the page from his predecessor, former President Donald Trump.  "They listened. Everyone sought me out. They wanted to know what our views were, and we helped lead what happened here," Biden said of other world leaders Sunday evening. "We got significant support here. ... The United States of America is the most critical part of this entire agenda."   Read more ....   WNU Editor: Another surreal Biden "news conference" where pre-approved reporters and their questions were only permitted (see above video).  And as to his claim that there is a lot of support for his Presidency and agenda.  I am not su...

  Axios: Biden raises missile purchase with Turkey's Erdoğan   President Biden raised concern over Turkey's purchase of a Russian missile system in a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday, per the White House, saying their respective countries need to find an "effective way" to manage disagreements.   Why it matters : Relations between the two countries have been tested over issues like a threat to expel foreign envoys, including a U.S. ambassador, that Erdoğan has since walked back, and Turkey purchasing Russian-made weaponry.   The backdrop: In 2019, Turkey received "the first group of equipment" from a Russian S-400 air defense system despite warnings from the U.S., which said the system could compromise the alliance's security.   Read more ....  WNU Editor: President Biden sitting down to deal with Turkish President Erdogan .... I so wish I was a fly in that room. On one side we have a President who has trouble rea...

A military parade is held to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) at Zhurihe training base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, July 30, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Zhenhua)  Al Jazeera: Just how strong is the Chinese military?   China is investing in advanced weaponry and equipment, and overhauling its military command structure to modernise its armed forces.   Shanghai, China – Amid repeated air incursions close to Taiwan, and reports that China has tested hypersonic weapons, the world is paying closer attention to the modernisation of China’s armed forces and its pursuit of ever more sophisticated weaponry.  Once hailed by the Communist Party as having defeated past adversaries with only “millet plus rifles”, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has now grown into the world’s largest fighting force, with more than two million active personnel.  Under President Xi Jinping, China has become more d...

Blinken's meeting with Wang was their first in person since a fiery exchange in Alaska in March   Daily Mail: Secretary of State Antony Blinken clashes with his Chinese counterpart over Beijing's growing aggression against Taiwan in an 'exceptionally candid' meeting at the G20 summit in Rome   * Antony Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday  * A State Department official said they had an 'exceptionally candid' conversations about Beijing's growing aggression toward Taiwan  * It was their first face-to-face since a fiery meeting in Alaska back in March  * The hour-long meeting took place on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome  * The official said the meeting will help lay the groundwork for a virtual summit between Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year  Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi locked horns over Taiwan on the sidelines of a Group of 20 summit in an 'exceptionally candid'...

According to a press release published by U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan, $65 million has been secured to upgrade the M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank which is produced at the Lima Tank Plant, Lima, OH. The funding secured by Congressman Ryan will extend the service life of the main battle tank and also integrate an unmanned turret. Read full Defense News at this link ... A U.S. tank crew with 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, maneuvers through a low water crossing with their recently received M1A2 SEPV3 Abrams Main Battle Tank during gunnery live fire qualification, Fort Hood, Texas, Jan. 22, 2021. (Picture source U.S. DoD) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/3BBtf1L via IFTTT

Ukrainian President Zelensky and Turkish President Erdogan (Reuters)  RFE: Ukraine's Zelenskiy Defends Drone Strike On Russia-Backed Separatists   Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has defended the use of a Turkish-supplied armed drone to strike Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, saying the military acted in self-defense and did not violate any agreements. "When the Ukrainian army feels the need to defend its land, it does so. And it will further act under this principle,” Zelenskiy said, according to comments published on the presidential website on October 29.  The Ukrainian military this week released footage of what it said was a Bayraktar T2B drone destroying a Russian-made howitzer in a separatist-controlled area.  The military said the drone was used “for the first time” to suppress artillery fire that killed a Ukrainian soldier and wounded another. Read more ....   WNU Editor: France and Germany have criticized this escalation...

According to information published by the Department of Defense of Australia on October 28, 2021, a $3.5 million Australian Army project to develop a convoy of autonomous trucks that use technology to follow the leader has passed a key milestone by successfully completing a series of road trials. Read full Defense News at this link ... Australian army has tested the use of autonomous trucks to conduct convoy missions. (Picture source Australian DoD) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/3BDeKLe via IFTTT

According to information published by the NNN website on October 28, 2021, the Nigerian army has taken delivery of 60 Type 85 also named YW531H, a tracked APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) produced by the Chinese company NORINCO. Read full Defense News at this link ... China has delivered 60 Type 85 tracked APC Armored personnel Carrier to Nigeria. (Picture source TVC News Nigeria video footage on Youtube)  Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/3nMqt4V via IFTTT

  Strategic Culture Foundation: NATO Sliding Towards War Against Russia in Ukraine   As far as Ukraine goes, Ankara seems to be setting the pace for NATO’s deepening involvement in the country’s war.  Russia is investigating reports of Turkish attack drones being deployed for the first time in Ukraine’s eight-year civil war. The Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) under the command of the Kiev regime claimed that the drones were used earlier this week in combat against ethnic Russian rebels.  This is a potentially dramatic escalation in the smoldering war. For it marks the direct involvement of NATO member Turkey in the conflict. Up to now, the United States and other NATO states have been supplying lethal weaponry to the Kiev regime to prosecute its war against the breakaway self-declared republics of Donetsk and Luhansk.  American, British and Canadian military advisors are also known to have carried out training missions with UAF combat units. Britain is in n...

  NPR: Biden, other leaders say no easing sanctions until Iran slows its nuclear development   ROME — President Biden and three European leaders sent a clear signal to Iran on Saturday that they are ready to return to the scuttled deal that eased sanctions against the country, in return for Iran limiting its nuclear program and opening it up to inspections.  Biden, outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made it clear in a joint statement, however, that they would not ease sanctions until Iran takes a first step toward ratcheting back efforts that the international community says are aimed at developing a nuclear weapon — an end goal Iran has repeatedly denied.  The leaders were meeting on the sidelines of a G-20 global finance conference here.   Read more ....   WNU Editor: Iran's view is that the ball is in Biden's court .... Iran says Biden can issue 'executive order' i...

Hibatullah Akhundzada is the ultimate authority in all political, religious and military affairs within the Taliban   The Guardian: Reclusive Taliban supreme leader makes rare public appearance   Haibatullah Akhundzada said to have visited religious school in Kandahar, confounding rumours of his death  The Taliban’s supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, has made a rare public appearance in the southern city of Kandahar, Taliban officials announced on Sunday, contradicting widespread rumours of his death.  Akhundzada, known as the leader of the faithful or Amir ul Momineen, had not been seen in public since the Taliban’s August takeover of the country, giving rise to the speculation.  A senior Taliban leader who was present with Akhundzada said the supreme leader had visited Jamia Darul Aloom Hakimia, a religious school in Kandahar on Saturday.   Read more ....  WNU Editor : The Taliban have released no videos or pictures of this "public app...

IDF soldiers drill war with Gaza in the Southern Storm drill. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)   Jerusalem Post: Drill for 2,000 rockets a day and internal strife: IDF preps for war   Home Front Command and RAHEL to carry out joint war-time drill starting today. In war, 2,000 rockets expected to be fired per day by Hezbollah  Israel’s Home Front Command and National Emergency Authority (RAHEL) will hold a week-long drill starting on Sunday simulating a large-scale war in which civilians are evacuated from northern border communities and security agencies will deal with massive rocket barrages sent by Hezbollah.  The drill will take lessons that have been learned from past events in the North, as well as those from the May fighting between Israel and terror groups in the Gaza Strip – Operation Guardian of the Walls – and from the Second Lebanon War in 2006.  Read more ....  More News On IDF Military Exercises Learning from May war, IDF simul...

  France 24: Four Gulf states including UAE pull diplomats from Beirut   The United Arab Emirates said Saturday it was withdrawing its diplomats from Lebanon, following a similar move by Saudi Arabia over a Lebanese minister's criticism of the Riyadh-led military intervention in Yemen.  The diplomatic row, which has also seen Riyadh suspend imports from Lebanon and both Kuwait and Bahrain expel Lebanese envoys, is another blow to a country already in the grip of crippling political and economic crises.  Lebanon had been counting on financial assistance from the Gulf to rescue its economy.   Read more ....  WNU Editor : Regardless of what this minister said, Lebanon desperately needs aid from the Gulf states. This diplomatic dispute will impose even more hardships on the people of Lebanon.  More News On The Gulf States Withdrawing Their Ambassadors From Lebanon   Gulf States Withdraw Ambassadors to Lebanon Over Criticism of Yemen War --...

  Reuters: Kishida hangs on to majority in Japanese election although weakened   TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party was forecast to hold on to its majority in Sunday's parliamentary election although it suffered losses that could curb his drive to ease wealth inequality, according to exit polls.  Keeping the majority in parliament's lower house is seen as key to Kishida, himself just weeks into the job, hanging on to his position within the faction-riven ruling party. Polls by public broadcaster NHK, however, showed the conservative LDP emerging on a weaker footing.  Read more ....  More News On Today's Japanese Parliamentary Elections   Japan election: Ruling LDP set for reduced majority - exit polls -- BBC   Japan ruling bloc keeps lower house majority, but PM's party loses seats -- Kyodo News Plus   Japan's ruling LDP secures sole majority in lower house election -- Nikkei Asi...

  CNBC: G-20 leaders struggle to secure climate breakthrough at Rome summit   * Leaders of the Group of 20 major economies holding their first face-to-face summit in two years, struggled on Sunday to bridge differences over how to combat global warming.  * The challenges come ahead of a crucial United Nations conference on climate change.  * Diplomats worked through the night seeking agreement on the wording of the traditional final communique.  Leaders of the Group of 20 major economies holding their first face-to-face summit in two years, struggled on Sunday to bridge differences over how to combat global warming ahead of a crucial United Nations conference on climate change.  Diplomats worked through the night seeking agreement on the wording of the traditional final communique. But there was no sign of significant progress, an official for one of the delegations said, declining to be named.   Read more ....   WNU Editor : A lo...

According to information released by the Indian Ministry of Defense on October 31, 2021, Y 12704 Visakhapatnam, the lead ship of Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyers being built at Mazgaon Docks Limited (MDL), was delivered to the Indian Navy on October 28, 2021. The contract for four ships of Project 15B, as the Visakhapatnam class ships are known, was signed on 28 January 2011. This project is a follow-on of the Kolkata class (Project 15A) destroyers commissioned in the last decade. Read full Naval News at this link ... The new Visakhapatnam, the lead ship of Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer for the Indian Navy. (Picture source India MoD) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/3GDQbBq via IFTTT

A handout photo made available by the Quirinal Press Office shows Italian President Sergio Mattarella (at the far side of the table) as he delivers a speech during an official dinner on the occasion of the G20, Rome, Italy, 30 October 2021   Daily Mail: Prince Charles joins Boris Johnson, Joe Biden and other world leaders as they feast on salmon and sea bass at G20 gala dinner in 16th-century Quirinale Palace in Rome   * Italian President Sergio Mattarella hosted the leaders at Rome's 16th century Quirinale Palace on Saturday  * US President Joe Biden sat at the head of the table with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen  * Meanwhile, France's President Emmanuel Macron was sat to the side with Mr Biden's wife - Jill Biden  * UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, meanwhile, was sat in one of the far corners with his wife Carrie Johnson  * Dinner came ahead of Cop26 and amid tensions between Britain and France over post-Brexit fishing license...

BREAKING: The UN climate summit has opened in Glasgow. Scientists say the chances of meeting goals set in the 2015 Paris accord to limit global warming are slowly slipping away. ​ https://t.co/V80D50rtGT — The Associated Press (@AP) October 31, 2021 About 120 world leaders, from US President Joe Biden to the prime minister of Andorra, are gathering in Glasgow for the COP26 climate conference #COP26BBC https://t.co/uTVA0mZuTx — BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) October 31, 2021 BREAKING: Leaders of the world’s biggest economies commit to achieving carbon neutrality “by or around mid-century," reach compromise on reducing financing for coal power. https://t.co/1Zp9SPOnFj — The Associated Press (@AP) October 31, 2021 Just six months ago, the official position was that the origins of COVID were not just known, but were proven with so much certainty that no debate or questioning of it could be permitted and had to be banned from the internet, which it was. Now we have this: https...

A view of the sculpture 'Together' by Italian sculptor Lorenzo Quinn, son of late actor Anthony Quinn, is seen in front of the Great Pyramids of Giza, on the outskirt of Cairo, Egypt, October 23. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany   WNU Editor: The above picture is from this photo-gallery .... Pictures of the week (Reuters). from War News Updates https://ift.tt/3pYKZCp via IFTTT

According to a video published on Youtube, the French army defense procurement agency (DGA) has conducted live-fire testing with the GRIFFON MEPAC (Mortier Embarqué Pour l’Appui au Contact - Mounted Mortar for Fire Support). The Griffon MEPAC is equipped with Thales 120-mm Rifled Recoiled Mounted Mortar (2R2M) system. Read full article at this link ... French Army procurement agency DGA has conducted live firing tests with the new Griffon MEPAC 120mm mortar carrier vehicle. (Picture source Youtube Video) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/3mvuGe8 via IFTTT

According to information published by the GDDIA on October 29, 2021, the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense General Directorate For Defense Investments And Armaments, in the margins of the NATO Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD), which was concluded on the 27th of October, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Netherlands for the possible transfer of 2 Royal Netherlands Navy M-class also called Karel Doorman-class frigates and 6 Alkmaar-class Mine Counter Measures Vessels to the Hellenic Navy. Read full Naval News at this link ... Dutch Navy M-frigate Hr.Ms. Van Speijk F828. (Picture source Warshipsresearch Blog) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/3jV0Wp9 via IFTTT

FILE - Soldiers of People's Liberation Army march in formation past Tiananmen Square during the military parade marking the 70th founding anniversary of People's Republic of China, on its National Day in Beijing, Oct. 1, 2019.   VOA: Chinese Military on Target to Surpass US, Russia   WASHINGTON — It is only a matter of time before China's plan to replace the United States as the world's preeminent military becomes reality, a top U.S. general warned, calling on the Washington and its allies to speed efforts to counter Beijing’s bid for dominance.  General John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Washington’s second-most-senior military officer, called the rapid rise of the Chinese military “stunning.”  “The pace they're moving and the trajectory that they're on will surpass Russia and the United States if we don't do something to change it," he told the Defense Writers Group on Thursday, responding to a question from VOA.   “We ...

Washington Post: Russian troop movements near Ukraine border prompt concern in U.S., Europe   A renewed buildup of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border has raised concern among some officials in the United States and Europe who are tracking what they consider irregular movements of equipment and personnel on Russia’s western flank.  The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said the troop movements have reignited concerns that arose in April, when the largest buildup of troops by Russia near the Ukrainian border in years sparked an international outcry.  The renewed movements of Russian forces in the area come as the Kremlin embraces a harder line on Ukraine. Russian officials from President Vladimir Putin on down have escalated their rhetoric in recent months, attacking Kyiv’s Western ties and even questioning its sovereignty. Putin has warned that any expansion of NATO military infras...