Duterte backs restoration of death penalty for heinous crimes

Published June 8, 2021, 10:49 PM by Genalyn Kabiling President Duterte is making a fresh pitch for the reimposition of death penalty for heinous crimes in the country.

The President, who launched a bloody war on drugs, said he was in favor of the “restoration” of capital punishment especially against those convicted of crimes committed against innocent people.

“I have always been for the restoration of death penalty,” Duterte said during an interview with religious leader Apollo Quiboloy Tuesday, June 8.

“Ako basta heinous crime, drugs, tapos yung nangyayaring sabi mo yung atrocities committed against so many innocent persons, ‘yung bata dyan sa Makati na kinatay, pinako sa kawayan, yan ang hindi maintindihan ng human rights (I’m in favor as long as it’s a heinous crime, drugs, the atrocities committed against so many innocent persons, the kid who was killed in Makati, nailed to a bamboo, that’s what the human rights groups do not understand),” he added.

Duterte, in his remarks, claimed that the death penalty was “not abrogated” but merely “suspended.” “Sinuspend lang ‘yung the act of killing a criminal,” he said.

He said some groups were opposed to death penalty and insisted the suspect should instead be prosecuted and sent to jail. But he claimed that some crime suspects who land in jail still manage to wrestle a gun from a cop and kill the law enforcer.

In his State of the Nation Address last year, the President called for the passage of a law reviving capital punishment by lethal injection. He said death penalty could be applied for crimes specified under the country’s anti-drug law.

“This law will not only help us deter criminality, but also save our children from the dangers posed by the illegal and dangerous drugs,” he said in his annual speech before Congress last year. The two houses of Congress have yet to pass the President’s priority bill.

In 2006, then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed a law abolishing death penalty in the predominantly Catholic country. The measure, widely opposed by Catholic Church leaders, was earlier restored for crimes such as murder, child rape and kidnapping back in 1993. https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/08/duterte-backs-restoration-of-death-penalty-for-heinous-crimes/

April factory data up on consumption, infrastructure

BYCAI ORDINARIO JUNE 9, 2021 Work resumes at a construction site in Parañaque City with the lifting of quarantines. Infrastructure projects are seen to generate jobs for millions of workers who got displaced by the lockdown.

THE resumption of the government’s infrastructure program and rebound in global consumer demand benefited the local manufacturing sector, as factory output more than doubled in April.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) disclosed that the Volume of Production Index (VoPI) surged 162.1 percent in April 2021. Last year, the VoPI contracted 64.8 percent.

Industries that posted triple-digit increases were led by manufacture of basic metals at 687.5 percent; fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment, 610.1 percent; furniture, 577.4 percent; wearing apparel, 555.5 percent; and transportation, 436.7 percent.

“The opening of the economy late last year and continuing up to the present means positive growth for manufacturing, which, I understand, went down by almost half or even less than half at the height of the lockdowns in 2020,” economist Rene E. Ofreneo, former dean of the University of the School of Labor and Industrial Relations (Solair), told the BusinessMirror in an e-mail.

Ofreneo said the reopening of the economy led to the rebound in industries that are related to construction such as basic metals and fabricated metal products.

He added that the reopening also led to a rebound in transport, which explained the rebound in the manufacture of transport equipment. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/06/09/april-factory-data-up-on-consumption-infrastructure/

World Bank lowers growth outlook for PHL to 4.7% BYCAI ORDINARIO JUNE 9, 2021 3 MINUTE READ

As the government eases quarantine restrictions, more entrepreneurs are opening up their former small businesses, like this barbecue vendor on Urban Avenue, Makati City. The government on Monday rolled out a coordinated effort to ramp up vaccination for economic frontliners under the “A4” category. THE World Bank has downgraded its economic growth outlook for the Philippines for the second time this year due to the reimposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and the in Covid-19 cases.

In the Philippine Economic Update (PEU) report, the Washington-based lender said Philippine GDP growth is now projected to reach 4.7 percent this year, lower than the 5.5 percent projected in March and 5.9 percent projected in December.

The World Bank also cut its growth expectations for 2022 to 5.9 percent from the 6.3 percent projected in March as well as in 2023 to 6 percent from the initial forecast of 6.2 percent.

-than- expected contraction in the first quarter, the realization of case resurgence“The downward and reimposition revision for this of stricter year was quarantines, driven by theand larger the lingering

World Bank said in its report. challenges from elevated inflation and household income losses,” the improving. The World Bank expects the countr growthHowever, rate the to country’s be around economic 5.7 percent growth between is expected 2020 and to continue 2029. y’s average potential partners, will boost exports and increase remittances, strengthening “The global economic rebound, especially among the country’s trading Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand. recovery in the Philippines,” said Ndiame Diop, World Bank Country https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/06/09/world-bank-lowers-growth-outlook-for-phl-to-4-7/

DOT forecasts 2 million to 5 million foreign tourists by 2022 BYMA. STELLA F. ARNALDO JUNE 9, 2021

They call it the “Northern Sunset,” to differentiate it from the more globally famous Bay sunset. Locals paddle their way home after offering boats ride to the tourists who hurdle tight health protocols in order to visit the pristine beaches of Pagudpud, . The Department of Tourism has successfully pushed for the inclusion of tourism-oriented workers among priority lists for vaccination and assistance amid the Covid-19 pandemic. THE Department of Tourism (DOT) has projected foreign tourists to reach anywhere from a low of 2 million to as high as 5 million visitors in 2022, the last year of the Duterte administration.

The last time the Philippines recorded 5 million in foreign arrivals was in 2015, when it hit some 5.4 million at year-end. Under the DOT’s National Tourism Development Plan for 2016-2022, foreign arrivals were targeted to reach 12 million by 2022.

An initial copy of the Reformulated NTDP for 2021-2022 indicated the DOT took into consideration mild, harsh, to severe scenarios based on ongoing developments in source markets in terms of lifting Covid-19 restrictions, as well as projections made by global tourism organizations such as the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association. The UNWTO believes it will take two to three years before global tourism returns to 2019 levels.

DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Market Development Benito C. Bengzon Jr. told the BusinessMirror, “We are finalizing the Reformulated NTDP 2021-2022 which will include, among others, the new strategic directions for the next two years. The plan will also include targets under the upside, baseline, and downside scenarios. We are collating inputs of the members of the Tourism Coordinating Council [TCC] to whom we presented the Reformulated NTDP on May 19.”

The TCC was created by Republic Act 9353 (Tourism Act of 2009) and composed of representatives of 25 government agencies and private-sector tourism leaders. Chaired by the DOT secretary, the TCC was meant to coordinate national tourism development efforts.

At least 500K arrivals this year

IT is widely believed that the Philippines would have continued recording historic-highs in terms of inbound arrivals if it were not for the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2019, foreign tourists hit 8.26 million, and was projected to rise to 9.2 million in 2020. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/06/09/dot-forecasts-2-million-to-5-million-foreign-tourists-by- 2022/

DA reports decline in ASF outbreaks BYJASPER Y. ARCALAS JUNE 9, 2021 2 MINUTE READ The number of active African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in the country is continuously declining as it has fallen to just 19 barangays in nine provinces, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

DA data showed as of June 4, active ASF cases are only observed in 19 barangays nationwide, noting that the government’s efforts against the dreaded hog disease has been effective.

In a virtual news briefing on Tuesday, the DA said the ASF-affected barangays are located in , , , Ilocos Norte, , Eastern , nine in , two in , and Davao Occidental.

In terms of ASF positive samples, the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) recorded only 176 positive samples in May, the lowest in a year or since the 152 ASF positive samples recorded in May of last year.

The DA-BAI recorded a spike in ASF positive samples in April at 520, putting a halt to the three-month skid since January, due to lingering presence of the fatal hog disease in areas that had previously active cases.

“The ASF positive samples increased in April because around this time our early warning system or surveillance program was active. And we were testing the environment, so these samples included environment samples. It doesn’t mean that there’s an active outbreak,” BAI Director Reildrin G. Morales said. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/06/09/da-reports-decline-in-asf-outbreaks-2/ PHL elected vice president of 76th UN General Assembly BYBUSINESSMIRROR JUNE 8, 2021 The Philippines has been elected as one of the Vice-Presidents of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) for the period 2021- 2022. The election was held on June 7, with the vote done by acclamation.

Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, will represent the Philippines. and representing the Philippines as Vice-President of the 76th Session. Together“I look forward with the to workingother Vice-Presidents, with the President I will of work the Generalcollaboratively Assembly with colleagues to contribute efficiently towards addressing the complex

issues the UN faces,” Ambassador Manalo said. The election for the Vice-Presidents was held following the election for President of the UNGA of the 76th session, in which Minister Abdullah Shahid of the Maldives was also elected.

Shahid won after a secret ballot in view of the seat being contested, with Dr. Zalmai Rassoul of Afghanistan as the other PGA candidate.

The nomination of the Philippines as vice-president was endorsed by the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) through a silence procedure on May 12,2021, along with the other three VP candidates to represent the 54-Member States of the Asia-Pacific Group: Bangladesh, Kuwait, and Laos PDR.

There are 18 VPs across all regions, elected by acclamation, which include the African Group (AG), Group of the Latin American and Caribbean States (GRULAC), Western European and other States Group (WEOG) and Eastern European Group (EEG).

Established in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations, the General Assembly occupies a central position as the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations.

Comprised of all 193 Members of the United Nations, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter. It also plays a significant role in the process of standard-setting and the codification of international law. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/06/08/phl-elected-vice-president-of-76th-un-general-assembly/

Nuclear power `safer, cleaner’ — Cojuangco Former lawmaker and businessman Mark Cojuangco on Tuesday allayed fears of integrating nuclear power in the country’s energy mix, which critics claim will devastate the environment.

“(Nuclear power) is definitely part of the renewable (resources)… We are so close to integrating this power source in our energy mix, especially now that several studies will help us,” Cojuangco, who served as the Representative of the 5th District of , said during an episode of Straight Talk, an online program of the Daily Tribune.

“Nuclear power is green power. It does not (contribute to) pollution,” he added. He also noted that nuclear power will aid the government’s continuous search for a viable alternative and cleaner fuel for power generation to bring down electricity costs and attain long-term energy security.

Relatedly, Department of Energy (DoE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi has also been advocating the use of nuclear power as it would boost our energy reserves and protect consumers from power price volatilities in the long run. Cusi underscored that energy supplied by a nuclear power plant is considerably more secure as compared with energy fueled by fossil, which also require constant feeds of coal or gas.

The Energy chief reiterated that the promotion of Philippine energy resources, through nuclear power plants, should be pursued but without sacrificing the country’s national security, especially that it is a highly politicized issue.

The Office of the President is currently assessing the recommendations of the DoE that would help establish a national policy on the use of nuclear energy as an option for power generation.

The DoE, on the other hand, is now setting up to “open doors for potential collaborative opportunities in the future with the international nuclear energy community.”

Under Executive Order (EO) 116, the NEP-IAC spearheads the study for the adoption of a National Position on a Nuclear Energy Program (NEP), which follows the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines. https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/06/08/nuclear-power-safer-cleaner-cojuangco/ Cloudy skies, rains over PH as possible low pressure area is formed in WPS

By: John Eric Mendoza - @inquirerdotnet

INQUIRER.net / 07:53 AM June 09, 2021

MANILA, Philippines The country will experience cloudy skies with chances of rains due to isolated thunderstorms being experienced nationwide, as a potential — low pressure area is expected to be formed in the West Philippine Sea, the state weather service reported.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), in its Wednesday morning bulletin, said the cloudy weather is due to habagat or the Southwest monsoon prevailing in and Western , while the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) prevails in the rest of Visayas and entire .

Southwest monsoon, dito sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon at Western Visayas. For the “Patuloy ang epekto ng dalawang weather system sa ating bansa: ang habagat, o rest of Visayas naman at sa malaking bahagi ng Mindanao, apektado naman sila ng

(TheIntertropical weather Convergence systems, the ZoneSouthwest o ITCZ,” monsoon, weather here specialist in most Beni partsson of Estareja Luzon andsaid. Western Visayas, and ITCZ to the rest of Visayas and Mindanao, continue to be in effect.) area or mga sirkulasyon kaya patuloy natin itong imo- “Possible somewhere dito sa West Philippine Sea, may mabuo na low pressure (Possible somewhere here in the West Philippine Sea, monitor,”a low pressure he added. area might be formed and we are continuously monitoring it.)

Estareja said Luzon will have light to moderate rains with projected to have temperatures ranging from 24 to 31 degrees Celsius; Tagaytay City at 23 to 29 degrees Celcius; Baguio City at 16 to 24 degrees Celsius; Laoag City at 24 to 32 degrees Celcius; Legazpi City at 25 to 31 degrees Celsius; Tugegarao City at 25 to 33 degrees Celsius; and City, with 24 to 30 degrees Celsius.

In Visayas, is projected to have temperatures ranging from 24 to 32 degrees Celsius; , 25 to 30 degrees Celsius; and at 25 to 31 degrees Celcius.

In Mindanao, would have 25 to 34 degrees Celsius; Cagayan de Oro, 24 to 33 degrees Celcius; and 24 to 32 degrees Celsius in . only expected to have slight to moderate sea condition, with exception on Western Meanwhile, no gale warning is raised on any country’s waters with the entire seas part of the country, which is projected to have moderate sea condition.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1443628/cloudy-skies-rains-over-ph-as-possible-low-pressure-area-is- formed-in-wps

Duterte praises Bacordo for valiant service in

Published June 8, 2021, 6:59 PM by Genalyn Kabiling President Duterte has commended outgoing Philippine Navy chief Vice Giovanni Carlo Bacordo for his valiant and dedicated service.

In a taped message during the Philippine Navy’s change of command ceremony Tuesday, the President recognized that Bacordo has made vital contributions in the modernization of the country’s naval force.

Bacordo relinquished his top naval post during the ceremony Tuesday at the Navy’s headquarters in Manila following his retirement from the service. He was replaced by Rear Admiral Adeluis Bordado who has been appointed by the President as the Navy’s 39th Flag Officer in Command.

“My warmest greetings to Giovanni Carlo Bacordo as you celebrate your 56th birthday. In behalf of our grateful nation, let me thank you for your valiant and dedicated service in the Philippine Navy,” the President said.

“As you finally hang the uniform that you proudly worn for decades, let us recognize your important contribution in strengthening our Navy, in pursuing the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) modernization program, and in touching the lives of the men and women that served under you,” he said.

Duterte also wished Bacordo continued success after ending his military career. “With the new chapter unfolding in your life, I wish you continued success and more meaningful years ahead,” he said.

Bacordo earlier bared plans to spend more time with his family and possibly get a consultancy job at a private company. “Aside from let’s say sports or other leisure activities or other skills that I may learn, maybe I can accept work in a private firm on a consultancy basis. But I don’t want to work on an 8 to 5, Monday to Friday type. I’d rather be on an on- call basis,” he said.

The President did not physically attend the change of command ceremony at the Navy headquarters in Manila Tuesday. Defense Secretary instead graced the event the President during the event.

The Palace earlier confirmed that the appointment of Bordado as the incoming chief of the Philippine Navy. Prior to his appointment, Bordado, a member of the Philippine class of 1988, served as PN vice commander. https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/08/duterte-praises-bacordo-for-valiant-service-in-navy/

New Navy chief appointed

President has appointed Rear Adm. Adeluis Bordado as flag officer-in- command of the Navy, the Department of National Defense said.

Bordado, a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1988 and current vice commander of the Navy, will take over from Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo when the latter reaches mandatory retirement age tomorrow (Wednesday), the DND said.

Gen. , Armed Forces chief, welcomed Bordado’s designation as the 39th flag officer-in-command of the Navy.

Bordado is an accomplished naval officer who rose to the hierarchy, passing through the different command, leadership, management, and staff positions not only in the Navy but also in the AFP, he said.

“His designation came at the time that the Navy is vigorously pursuing its modernization program that includes acquisition programs for surface and sub-surface assets,” Sobejana noted.

“The wealth of his experience, his well-rounded education and training locally and abroad and his personal attributes make him an excellent choice to lead the Navy at this time that the AFP faces various internal and external security challenges,” the military chief added.

The DND said it looks forward to Bordado’s assumption as efforts to modernize the Navy into a strong and capable force continue.

“We likewise thank Vice Adm. Bacordo for his service and countless contributions to the Defense Department and Armed Forces. We wish him all the best as he retires from service and transitions to civilian life,” it added.

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/06/08/new-navy-chief-appointed/

Duterte taps Adeluis Bordado as next Navy chief: Palace

Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News Posted at Jun 08 2021 01:49 PM | Updated as of Jun 08 2021 09:37 PM MANILA (2nd UPDATE )— President Rodrigo Duterte has designated Rear Adm. Adeluis Bordado as the next chief of the Philippine Navy, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

The official leadership turnover was conducted at the Navy's headquarters along Roxas Blvd. in Manila, with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana leading the ceremony.

Armed Forces chief-of-staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar were guests at the event.

Bordado's appointment as the Navy's 39th flag officer-in-command will take effect June 9, Wednesday, said Palace spokesman Harry Roque.

Outgoing Navy head Giovanni Carlo Bacordo is set to retire on the same day.

Bordado currently serves as vice commander, the principal assistant of the Navy chief in decision-making and policy implementation. His will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 in September next year.

"The Navy must change and it must change gradually while staying true to its moral compass. It's for honor, dedication, patriotism, sobriety, leadership and professionalism," he said at the turnover ceremony. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/08/21/duterte-adelius-bordado-new-navy-chief-philippines

Adeluis Bordado named new Navy chief BYRENE ACOSTA A seasoned naval officer has assumed the leadership of the Philippine Navy, succeeding Vice Admiral Giovannie Carlo Bacordo who retired on Tuesday, one day short of his mandatory retirement from the service.

Rear Admiral Adeluis Bordado, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988, assumed the reigns of the Navy from his previous post as vice commander.

Born in Calabanga, on September 9, 1966, Bordado was commissioned into the service with the rank of an where he later rose from the ranks, holding different positions.

He had commanded the Navy’s Naval Installation Command and served as chief of the Naval Staff. He had also served as the commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Education, Training and Doctrine Command.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Cirilito Sobejana welcomed the designation of Bordado, the only official recommended by the Board of Generals for the top post.

“Rear Admiral Bordado is an accomplished naval officer who rose to the hierarchy of the 123 years old Philippine Navy passing through the different command, leadership, management, and staff positions—not only in the Philippine Navy but in the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] as well,” he said.

“The wealth of his experience, his well-rounded education and training locally and abroad and his personal attributes make him an excellent choice to lead the Philippine Navy at this time that the AFP faces various internal and external security challenges,” he added.

Bordado will oversee the ongoing modernization program of the Navy under which the delivery of ordered assets and the signing of contracts have been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/06/09/adeluis-bordado-named-new-navy-chief/

Bordado is new PH Navy chief

Published June 8, 2021, 12:09 PM by Martin Sadongdong Rear Admiral Adeluis Bordado has been appointed by President Duterte as the new and 39th Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy (PN), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed Tuesday, June 8.

Bordado replaced Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo who is set to retire from the service on Tuesday. The change of command and retirement ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the PN Headquarters in Manila.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is expected to grace the ceremony.

Bordado is the incumbent PN vice commander, the second highest position in the Navy. He hails from Camarines Sur and is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Maringal” Class of 1988.

AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Cirilito Sobejana welcomed the designation of Bordado, whom he described as an “accomplished naval officer who [passed] through the different command, leadership, management, and staff positions” both in the PN and AFP.

“He particularly distinguished himself in the fields of operations, intelligence, information technology, budget, planning, and education and training,” Sobejana said of Bordado.

Bordado also previously served the PN in different capacities. These include being the chief of naval staff and commander of the AFP Education, Training, and Doctrine Command, among others.

According to Sobejana, Bordado’s designation came at a time when the PN “is vigorously pursuing its modernization program that includes acquisition programs for surface and sub-surface assets.”

“The wealth of his experience, his well-rounded education and training locally and abroad, and his personal attributes make him an excellent choice to lead the Philippine Navy at this time that the AFP faces various internal and external security challenges,” Sobejana added.

Bordado’s first command-at-sea was BRP (AM-700). Afterwards, he skippered RPS EXPLORER, a survey ship of Service Force, Philippine Fleet. He completed his sea tour as the Commanding Officer of BRP RAJAH HUMABON (PF-11), the former flagship of the Philippine Navy.

Bordado is happily married to Dr. Ma. Ruth, a physician-psychiatrist and they are blessed with their only son, Adeluis Antovic Jr. https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/08/bordado-is-new-ph-navy-chief/

Bordado is next Navy chief Sobejana Published June 8, 2021 12:05pm — Rear Admiral Adeluis Bordado is designated as the next chief of the Philippine Navy, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Cirilito Sobejana said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the AFP welcomed Bordado, a naval officer who passed through different command, leadership, management, and staff positions not only in the Navy but also in the AFP. its modernization program that includes acquisition programs for surface and sub-“His designation came at the time that the Philippine Navy is vigorously pursuing

Accordingsurface to assets,” Sobejana, Sobejana Bordado said. is an excellent choice given his experience, education, training, and personal attributes especially that the AFP is facing various internal and external security challenges.

The AFP chief added that Bordado distinguished himself in the fields of operations, intelligence, information technology, budget, planning, and education and training. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/790647/bordado-is-next-navy-chief-sobejana/story/

Duterte appoints Bordado as next Philippine Navy chief

By: Frances Mangosing - Reporter / @FMangosingINQ

INQUIRER.net / 12:53 PM June 08, 2021

MANILA, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Philippine Navy vice c — Command. ommander Rear Admiral Adeluis Bordado as the Navy’s new Flag Officer in Bordado, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988, will succeed Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, who stepped down on Tuesday (June 8), a day before he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will preside over the change of command ceremony at the Navy headquarters in Manila.

Bordado will serve for at least 15 months until his mandatory retirement age. Some of his previous assignments were as naval chief of staff, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Education, training and Doctrine Command and head of Naval Installation Command.

AFP chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana welcomed the designation of Bordado, saying the naval officer distinguished himself in the fields of operations, intelligence, information technology, budget, planning, and education and training. its modernization program that includes acquisition programs for surface and “His designation came at the time that the Philippine Navy is vigorously pursuing sub-

Bordadosurface was assets,” the only Sobejana officer recommendedsaid. by the Board of Generals to Lorenzana and Duterte.

Bacordo, in his final press conference as Navy chief on Monday (June 7), advised hardware. his successor to continue building the Navy’s capacity in terms of personnel and he training of our “One challenge as a force provider is how can we address these delays in the sustainment of our vessels, that’s the biggest, and another is t Thepersonnel,” next Navy he chiefsaid. should also give priority to enforcing policies that are for the good of the service. are policies that may run counte “Regarding policies, regarding implementation of the policies…sometimes there Bacordo said in his last speech. r to the individual and benefit the organization,”

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1443254/duterte-appoints-bordado-as-next-philippine-navy-chief

‘New Baseline Law needed for WPS’ The current Baseline Law was good but then the tribunal decision makes it imperative that there should be some changes Published 15 hours ago on June 9, 2021 12:20 AM By Sundy Locus @tribunephl_sndy The Philippines may assert its West Philippine Sea (WPS) claim through the legislation of a new Baseline Law that will enforce the 2016 arbitral ruling granted to the country by a Hague-based court, former Supreme Court associate justice Francis Jardeleza said on Tuesday.

His statement came a day after he sent a letter, enclosed with a draft bill, to President Rodrigo Duterte proposing the amendment of the Republic Act (RA) 9522. He said it is the “best, most efficient and practical option” in imposing the ruling which invalidates China’s expansive nine-dash claim.

“The current Baseline Law was good but then the tribunal decision makes it imperative that there should be some changes,” he said in a television interview.

Jardeleza, who served as solicitor general during the country’s arbitral proceeding against China, said the proposed amendments will specifically name and identify the maritime features in the WPS claimed by the Philippines, thus, providing a clear textual basis for coast guards to use in asserting their authority to foreign vessels swarming the contested territory.

Instead of treating Spratlys as an archipelago, the amendment will also treat relevant features in the area as individual rocks within individual territorial seas.

“The ruling said there are certain attributes in the WPS that we call rocks like the Pagasa Island. A rock is entitled to a territorial sea. Now those two are required to certain nautical miles, but the baselines should be measured from the rocks,” he said.

“Under the RA, our baseline is based on the archipelago as a whole. There are so many rocks in the WPS that there is a need to mark out the particular metes and bounds of the particular rocks,” he added.

Further, Jardeleza pointed out that the current law should be revised as it is compliant with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS but not to the arbitral ruling. “We’re not saying it is wrong but it is not enough to make it compliant with the arbitral award,” he said. “The thing with the legislation is, it is empirical; it follows experience. When they created the RA there was no arbitral ruling so now that there is one, we need to improve it,” he added.

His proposal is one of the many suggestions recommended to help the government assert the country’s territory.

Former Justice Antonio Carpio earlier said it is impractical to amend a law because “it’s not easy to pass a law or amend it.” Jardeleza said he maintains his stance but he respects other people’s opinions.

“At the end of the day, we don’t have the luxury of time to debate. What we need now is to help our President as the chief architect of foreign policy,” he said.

“I am not confident he (Duterte) will heed my call but what is important is I can help focus the mind and sharpen the debate. It’s (proposal) just an option. All of these are just opinions,” he added. https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/06/09/new-baseline-law-needed-for-wps/

Philippines’ COVID-19 vaccination reaches Pag-asa Island Ronron Calunsod, ABS-CBN News Posted at Jun 09 2021 01:16 AM MANILA—Civilian residents and uniformed personnel stationed on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea received Tuesday their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as the country ramps up its inoculation drive to attain herd immunity against the respiratory disease later this year.

The municipal government of Kalayaan, which has jurisdiction over the island located 285 nautical miles away from mainland , said 65 individuals were inoculated with CoronaVac, the vaccine candidate of China's Sinovac, on the first day of the COVID-19 vaccination program there.

It was not immediately known under which priority groups for the vaccination the recipients fall. The government started administering vaccines on economic frontliners or those in the A4 group only on Monday, more than three months since catering to health workers (A1), senior citizens (A2), and persons with comorbidities (A3).

"We are expecting more people will be vaccinated on its second day," said the Kalayaan municipal government on its official Facebook page.

Ariel Carlos of the municipal government told ABS-CBN News in an online exchange that the target number of individuals for vaccination is 100. He could not immediately say how many people are currently on the island.

The vaccines were brought via M/L Queen Seagull and administered by personnel of the Department of Health in the region and the province, and of the municipal government from Palawan mainland.

"They traveled Saturday night, and arrived yesterday (Monday), around 10 a.m. . . . Even if it was raining so hard sa isla (in the island), tuloy po ang vaccination kanina (the vaccination proceeded earlier today)," Carlos said.

"Tomorrow (Wednesday), they will continue para sa (for the) remaining vaccines to be administered," he added.

Carlos said Kalayaan Mayor Roberto del Mundo, 68, has not yet been vaccinated.

The island, which serves as Kalayaan's seat of government, has not recorded a single COVID-19 case so far.

Latest government data showed that more than 6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the country since the rollout started March 1.

So far, 1,604,260 individuals are already fully vaccinated, having gotten their 2 doses.

Sinovac, which is one of the four vaccine brands currently being used in the Philippines, has to be administered in two doses, 28 days apart. Beijing donated 1 million doses of the product to Manila.

The government aims to inoculate 58 to 70 million individuals this year to achieve herd immunity against the coronavirus that is believed to have first emerged in Wuhan City, China. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/09/21/philippines-covid-19-vaccination-reaches-pag-asa-island

Life goes on for fisherfolk around WPS

By Christine Cudis June 8, 2021, 8:44 pm

AID. More than PHP25-million worth of agri-based livelihood assistance under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act is turned over to San Luis, on Tuesday (June 8, 2021). The package included two commercial fishing boats with complete paraphernalia and 157 life vests. (Photo courtesy of BFAR)

MANILA – With the increased presence of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) and the Philippine in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Filipino fisherfolk are able to continue their activities.

On Tuesday, DA-BFAR reported that over a hundred commercial fishing vessels are out fishing at the WPS since January 2021.

The data include 108 commercial fishing vessels from and , 20 from Pangasinan, 19 from Palawan, and two from .

DA Secretary William Dar cited the large contribution to the country's food security of resources from the WPS.

"Our increased presence in the area, through the DA-BFAR’s floating assets, is the Department of Agriculture’s way of ensuring that our fisherfolk are able to enjoy access to our fishery and aquatic resources in the WPS, while ensuring at the same time that these activities are within sustainable and rational means,” he said in a statement.

DA-BFAR currently has five Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) vessels and one multi- mission offshore vessel at the Kalayaan Island Group, and one MCS vessel at the Bajo de Masinloc to provide assistance and protection.

The bureau shared that it also continuously provides necessary interventions to provinces and coastal communities facing WPS with programs like fisheries development and lectures on regulation and law enforcement.

Over PHP73 million worth of livelihood implements and technology projects have been turned over by BFAR-Region 1 to fisherfolk and other fisheries stakeholders in Pangasinan.

BFAR-Region 3, on the other hand, has been distributing fish aggregating device (payaos) and vessels to 14 local government units of Zambales since 2016. From 2017 to 2019, BFAR-Mimaropa employed workers in the Kalayaan Island Group as data gatherers. Each received cash allowance and livelihood inputs such as fishing paraphernalia and boats.

BFAR-Mimaropa also turned over post-harvest facilities in Kalayaan, including a Community Fish Landing Center in 2020, and a cold storage facility which started construction last month. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1142994

Confidence boost: fishers benefitting from PCG's presence in WPS, says DA

Published June 8, 2021, 2:54 PM by Betheena Unite The Department of Agriculture (DA) claimed on Tuesday, June 8, that the increased presence of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the (PCG) operatives in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has bolstered the confidence of to catch fish in the area.

The department noted that since January this year, more than a hundred commercial fishing vessels have gone out to fish in the WPS. The figure includes 108 commercial fishing vessels coming from Bataan and Zambales, 20 from Pangasinan, 19 from Palawan, and two from Occidental Mindoro.

“The West Philippine Sea is a rich source of fish for the Philippines, contributing significantly to the country’s food security. Our increased presence in the area, through the DA-BFAR’s floating assets, is the Department of Agriculture’s way of ensuring that our fisherfolk are able to enjoy access to our fishery and aquatic resources in the WPS, while ensuring at the same time that these activities are within sustainable and rational means,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.

Five monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) vessels and one multi-mission offshore vessel are currently deployed off the waters of Kalayaan Island Group, while one MCS vessel is at Bajo de Masinloc.

These assets aim to provide assistance and protection to Filipino fisherfolk venturing in the areas, the secretary added.

Aside from regular patrol, the DA-BFAR is also continuously providing necessary interventions to provinces and coastal communities facing the WPS via programs like fisheries development, fisheries regulation and law enforcement, and fisheries extension programs.

Among the recent assistance provided to fishers in Region IV-B were the post-harvest facilities given last year to Kalayaan, which included a community fish landing center.

The construction for a cold storage facility was also started last month. https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/08/confidence-boost-pinoy-fishers-benefitting-from-pcgs-presence-in-wps- says-da/

More Filipinos fishing in West PH Sea - BFAR By Eireene Jairee Gomez

June 8, 2021

This handout photo taken on April 27, 2021 and received from the Philippine Coastguard on May 5, 2021 shows Philippine coastguard personnel aboard their ship BRP Cabra monitoring Chinese vessels (R) at Sabina Shoal, a outcrop claimed by Manila located about 135 kilometres (73 nautical miles) west of the Philippine island of Palawan. Handout / Philippine Coastguard / AFP

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Tuesday reported that more Philippine commercial fishing vessels have been spotted in the West Philippine Sea.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar attributed this development to the increased presence of vessels deployed by BFAR and the Philippine Coast Guard. The fisheries bureau is under the Department of Agriculture.

BFAR said that more than a hundred commercial fishing vessels were seen in the West Philippine Sea since January this year. These included 108 commercial fishing vessels coming from Bataan and Zambales, 20 from Pangasinan, 19 from Palawan, and 2 from Occidental Mindoro.

"The West Philippine Sea is a rich source of fish for the Philippines, contributing significantly to the country's food security. Our increased presence in the area, through the DA-BFAR's floating assets, is the Department of Agriculture's way of ensuring that our fisherfolk are able to enjoy access to our fishery and aquatic resources in the WPS while ensuring at the same time that these activities are within sustainable and rational means," Dar said in a statement. https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/06/08/latest-stories/more-filipinos-fishing-in-west-ph-sea- bfar/1802416

China reassures compensation to owner, crew of F/B Gem- Ver1

Published June 8, 2021, 11:35 AM by Jeffrey Damicog The Chinese government has renewed its assurance that the owner and crew members of the Philippine fishing vessel, F/B Gem-Ver1, will be compensated. Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Adrian Ferdinand S. Sugay on Tuesday, June 8, said the renewed assurance was conveyed by China’s Bureau of Fisheries during talks hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Beijing last Monday, June 7.

“The Bureau of Fisheries (of the Philippines), for its part, undertook to coordinate directly with the DOJ to ensure that the owner and crew members of the F/B Gem-Ver1 are fairly and satisfactorily compensated for all damages sustained as a result of the collision,” Sugay said. He said the representatives of the owners of the Chinese fishing vessel that collided with the Filipino vessel “undertook to formally inform the owner and crew members of the F/B Gem-Ver1 of their counter-proposal.” F/B Gem-Ver1 sunk on June 9, 2019 after being rammed by a Chinese fishing vessel in , also known as the Recto Bank, in the West Philippine Sea. The Chinese fishing vessel fled which left the crew of Gem-Ver1 stranded until they got rescued and returned to the Philippines. The owner and crew of the Filipino fishing vessel has been seeking over P12-million in compensation and damages. Undersecretary Sugar said the talks with China’s Bureau of Fisheries was conducted by representatives of the DOJ together with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“The discussions were mainly on the matter of compensation for actual and moral damages,” he said. “The Philippine panel reiterated the claim of the owner and the crew members of the F/B Gem-Ver1 for compensation for the damage sustained by the fishing vessel, for loss of income, and for moral suffering and mental anguish,” he also said. During the meeting, Sugay said the Philippine panel raised the fact that “the crew members of the Chinese fishing vessel, in violation of relevant international conventions and customary international maritime law, failed to extend assistance to persons who were clearly in distress at sea.” https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/08/china-reassures-compensation-to-owner-crew-of-f-b-gem-ver1/

‘Mag-aral ka muna nang husto,’ Duterte rebukes Pacquiao over WPS critique

By: Krissy Aguilar - Reporter / @KAguilarINQ

INQUIRER.net / 10:08 PM June 08, 2021

Sen. Manny Pacquiao is chided by President Rodrigo Duterte for his criticism of

PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA the administration’s stand on the West Philippine Sea. INQUIRER.NET MANILA, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte chided Senator Manny

— stance on the West Philippine Sea issue as lacking in substance. Pacquiao and advised him to “study” after the latter criticized the chief executive’s mag- “It’s about foreign policy. I would not want to degrade him but next time he should, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy when sought aral ka muna nang husto bago ka pumasok,” Duterte said in an interview with to comment on Pacquiao’s remarks. study diligently.) (It’s about foreign policy. I would not want to degrade him but next time he should

“Apparently this guy has a very shallow knowledge,” he added. compared to when he was running for the presidency. Pacquiao said earlier that Duterte’s stance on the disputed waters had softened The senator recalled that prior to his election as president, Duterte had promised to go to the West Philippine Sea and plant the Philippine flag.

-election, sa pangangampanya, nung sinabi niya na mag- jet ski siya, dala yung watawat ng Pilipinas doon, e siyempre, kahit ako sa puso ko, “Narinig natin bago mag ito na yung iboboto ko dahil ito yung dapat na presidente, kailangan natin, na

-Laban. pinaglalaban yung bansa natin,” said Pacquiao, who serves as acting president of (WeDuterte’s heard political what he party said PDPbefore the elections as he was campaigning that he was going to ride a jet ski carrying the Philippine flag to the Spratlys, so of course, I felt someone who will fight for our country.) it in my heart to vote for him because that’s the kind of president that we need; https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1443512/mag-aral-ka-muna-nang-husto-duterte-tells-pacquiao-after- stance-on-wps-criticized

CPP-NPA owns up to death of footballer, apologizes for unit’s ‘error’ posted June 09, 2021 at 12:50 am by Willie Casas and Rio N. Araja

The Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) on Tuesday expressed remorse over the deaths of Far Eastern University footballer Kieth Absalon and his cousin Nolven Absalon, who were killed by a land mine planted by the rebels.

In a Twitter post, CPP spokesman Marco Valvuena said “errors of an NPA unit” led to the incident on Sunday in City.

“The entire CPP and NPA express deep remorse and take full responsibility for the untimely deaths of cousins Kieth and Neolven Absalon,” Valvuena said later in a statement. “There is no justification for the aggravation this has caused the Absalon family.”

The deaths “should not have happened,” he added, and said the CPP-NPA was conducting an internal probe over the incident.

“The lessons that will be drawn should guide the NPA to avoid such unfortunate incidents in the future and strengthen its resolve to serve and defend the people,” the statement added.

At least three NPA members suspected of being involved in the blast were killed in a firefight with pursuing government troops, authorities reported Monday.

National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. said the gun battle happened around 5:30 a.m. with joint elements of the Scout Platoon 91D and Philippine National Police facing around 30 NPA fighters under the command of Arnold Rosero.

Police Lt. Col. Steve N. Dela Rosa, Chief of the Masbate City Police Station (MCPS), confirmed the encounter, which lasted around 15 minutes. The communist rebels left around a dozen high- powered rifles, and they were still being pursued as of press time, he said.

The policemen were also serving warrants of arrests for murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder issued by the Masbate Regional Trial Court against members of the armed group, Dela Rosa said.

Malacañang said on Tuesday members of the NPA responsible for planting the anti-personnel mines in Masbate are guilty of committing an international crime and must be punished. “That is an international crime, and it is important to apprehend, investigate, and punish NPA members who continue to use landmines,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said. Willie Casas and Rio N. Araja

The 21-year-old Absalon, his cousin Nolven, 40, and the latter’s 16-year-old son were riding their bikes along Purok 4, Anas in Masbate City when the blast happened around 6:45 a.m. Sunday.

Only Nolven’s son survived the blast from the improvised explosive device.

The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines both have announced that they were conducting a manhunt for the suspects behind the blast.

“CHR strongly condemns this act,” spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said in a statement. “The use of anti-personnel landmines is a violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).”

“Not only do they cause exceptionally severe injuries, suffering, and death, [but] anti-personnel landmines also fail to distinguish between civilians and combatants, such as what happened in this case,” she added.

De Guia underscored that even non-state entities such as the NPA “are bound to respect IHL, alongside the government.” Citing the Ottawa treaty or the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine (APM) Ban Convention, Roque said the use of landmines is prohibited under international laws.

“That is a crime against humanity. It is a war crime. Landmines violate the principle of distinction under the International Humanitarian Law,” he said.

The Philippines is one of the signatory states to the APM Ban Convention, which prohibits the production, stockpiling, transfer, and use of APMs to ensure the implementation of humanitarian rules restricting armed violence.

Roque said the NPA members behind the blast should be held accountable. https://manilastandard.net/news/national/356655/cpp-npa-owns-up-to-death-of-footballer-apologizes- for-unit-s-error-.html

NPA's landmine attack in Masbate an 'international crime', says Palace

Published June 8, 2021, 2:28 PM by Genalyn Kabiling The communist rebels must be prosecuted and penalized for committing an international crime after it launched a landmine explosion that killed two people in Masbate, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the New People’s Army rebels behind the attack were “guilty” of such war crime, citing the 1997 international pact that bans the use of anti- personnel landmines in warfare.

“‘Yan ay isang international crime at importante na mahuli, malitis, maparusahan ang mga tao ng NPA na patuloy na gumagamit ng landmines (That is an international crime and it is important the NPA members using the landmines must be caught, prosecuted and punished),” Roque said during a televised press briefing Tuesday, June 8.

“Inuulit ko po (I repeat) that’s an international crime, a crime against the international community that is worst crime can commit and the NPA is guilty of it,” he said.

Reports said the landmine blast claimed the lives of Keith Absalon, 21, a football varsity player of the Far Eastern University (FEU), and his cousin, Nolven Absalon, 40. Nolven’s son, 16, was injured from the mine blast allegedly planted by NPA rebels last June 6.

Roque said such anti-personnel landmines have been prohibited since they do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

“Hindi lang yan krimen dito sa Pilipinas (It is a crime not just in the Philippines), that is a crime against humanity. It is a war crime. Ipinagbabawal ‘yan ng Ottawa Convention (That is prohibited by the Ottawa Convention),” Roque said.

“Ang landmines po ay nilalabag ang prinsipyo ng distinction sa international humanitarian law dahil kahit sinong paa po ay puwedeng mag-trigger ng pagsabog niyan. hindi lang paa ng mandirigma (The landmines violate the principle of distinction under the international humanitarian law because anyone’s foot can trigger the blast. It’s not just the combatant’s),” he said.

In a televised address Monday, June 7, the President denounced the communist rebels for their atrocities, including the recent attack on troops involved in a food aid mission in City. He criticized the rebels for their “sheer brutality” as he vowed to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice. https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/08/npas-landmine-attack-in-masbate-an-international-crime-says-palace/

'No peace talks can succeed' President Rodrigo Duterte said no peace talks will succeed unless the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) stops its attacks against government forces.

Duterte made the statement in his public address on Monday as he condemned the attack perpetrated by the rebel group against members of the military in Quezon last Saturday.

According to reports, the members of the military came from a food aid mission when they were ambushed by the CPP-NPA in Buenavista in Quezon.

The incident left Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit member Romar Gono dead.

"The police and soldiers across the country have been distributing food aid and other needs. Despite the sacrifice of the men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the police, still they are the object of depredations, attack."

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/06/09/news/regions/no-peace-talks-can-succeed/1802484

NPA attacks on civilians in Bicol prove anti-dev't stance: AFP

By Priam Nepomuceno June 8, 2021, 9:26 am

MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, branded the unprovoked attack against civilians in the Bicol Region, which killed two people and wounded five others, a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and a demonstration of the communist terrorists' lack of concern for development.

“The NPA (New People's Army) crime against innocent civilians is a violation of the International Humanitarian Law. It is a clear manifestation of their anti-people and anti-development ways that are worthy of the Filipino’s condemnation,” he said in a statement forwarded to reporters on Monday night.

On Sunday morning, Keith Absalon, a varsity football player for the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, and his cousin Nolven, died after an anti-personnel mine (APM) believed to have been planted by the NPA exploded while they were cycling in Barangay Anas, Masbate City. Absalon's 16-year-old nephew, Chrisbin, was also wounded in the incident.

“The AFP extends its sincerest condolences to the families and loved ones left behind by Keith and Nolven Absalon. Both were victims of injustice and criminal predisposition of the abhorred CTGs (communist terrorist groups). The military and police are one with the victims’ families in seeking justice for their untimely death,” Sobejana said.

On the same day, another explosion injured four motorists, including a lawyer, in Barangay Homapon, Legazpi City, .

"These incidents will add to the data collated by AFP on the CTG's usage of anti- personnel mines. It shows a nationwide pattern of organized, orchestrated, continuing, deliberate and systematic scheme perpetrated by these violent extremists which justify their designation as a terrorist organization," AFP Center for Law of Armed Conflict director Brig. Gen. Joel Alejandro S. Nacnac said.

Meanwhile, troops from the ’s 2nd Infantry Battalion are currently hunting down the perpetrators while tightening security measures in the area. “The attacks against non-combatants are desperate attempts by the CTGs to regain influence and support from the people who have grown tired of their deception and are now denouncing their lawless activities,” Sobejana said.

The use of APMs is a violation of the International Humanitarian Law and the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention adopted by the international community, prohibiting the acquisition, production, stockpiling, and use of weapons.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA) https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1142931

Sobejana condemns NPA attack that killed FEU star athlete, uncle

Published June 8, 2021, 1:33 PM by Martin Sadongdong Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, Gen. Cirilito Sobejana condemned on Tuesday, June 8, the detonation of an anti-personnel mine allegedly by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Bicol Region that killed a rising football player from the Far Eastern University (FEU) and his uncle.

Keith Absalon, 21, and his uncle Nolven Absalon, 40, were biking along Barangay Anas in Masbate City around 6:45 a.m. last Sunday when the explosive suddenly went off.

The explosion killed Keith and Nolven, and injured five others including Nolven’s 16-year- old son, who was hit by shrapnel. The injured teenager was brought to Masbate Provincial Hospital for treatment. https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/08/sobejana-condemns-npa-attack-that-killed-feu-star-athlete-uncle/

‘War crime’: Rights group condemns deaths of Absalon cousins in Masbate ABS-CBN News Posted at Jun 09 2021 08:02 AM MANILA—Human Rights Watch on Wednesday condemned the deaths of a labor leader and a football player after an explosive device planted by the New People's Army went off in Masbate over the weekend.

Union leader Nolven Absalon and Far Eastern University football player Kieth Absalon were riding their bikes along Purok 4, Barangay Anas in Masbate City when an improvised explosive device detonated early Sunday, authorities said.

Absalon was the leader of the Masbate Electric Cooperative Employees Union, according to labor group Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa.

"The killing of a labor leader and a football player by an IED planted by the New People’s Army shows the terrible threat such weapons pose to all civilians," HRW said in a statement.

"The use of anti-personnel landmines, which are prohibited in the Philippines under the Mine Ban Treaty, is a war crime. Those responsible are subject to criminal prosecution not just in the Philippines but in courts around the world."

The Philippine National Police on Monday launched manhunt operations against perpetrators behind the suspected IED blast. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/09/21/war-crime-rights-group-condemns-deaths-of-absalon- cousins-in-masbate

PAF's 5 new Blackhawk choppers to help in vaccine transportation

Published June 8, 2021, 12:59 PM by Martin Sadongdong The five brand new S-70i Blackhawk utility helicopters recently obtained by the (PAF) from Poland will be used in transporting coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines in geographically isolated areas, it announced on Tuesday, June 8.

The choppers were delivered to the country aboard an Antonov transport plane from Poland. It landed at the in on Monday, June 7.

Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano, PAF spokesperson, said the Blackhawks are “the best” in its class of multi-mission utility helicopters. He noted they can be applied to meet a variety of missions so long as they are equipped with suitable equipment.

“The recent arrival of the five Blackhawks will further boost the heli-lift capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and will help the government deliver more services in more areas in less time,” Mariano said.

The Blackhawks were part of the 16-unit aircraft acquired by the PAF from Polish company Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze Sp.z.o.o which were manufactured by Sikorsky USA.

The acquisition project, which was part of the second “Horizon” of the AFP modernization program, has a total contract price of $241,461,699.39 and was sealed through a government to government (G2G) transaction in 2019.

The first six units of the Blackhawks were delivered in November 2020 and were used to transport vaccines and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the remotest areas of Batanes, Bicol, and other parts of the country.

These can also be used in combat missions and humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations, Mariano noted. https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/08/pafs-5-new-blackhawk-choppers-to-help-in-vaccine-transportation/

3 rebels killed in Masbate clash

Firefight erupts as gov’t troops pursue New People’s Army insurgents behind land mine blast that killed university athlete, cousin

By: Ma. April Mier-Manjares, Mar S. Arguelles - @inquirerdotnet

Inquirer Southern Luzon / 05:04 AM June 09, 2021

Three suspected communist rebels on Tuesday were killed in a clash with government troops pursuing people behind the land mine blast in Masbate City that killed a university football player and his cousin on Sunday, police said.

Police Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson for the Bicol regional police, members fired at a team composed of policemen and soldiers that was serving an said a firefight ensued when at least 30 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) arrest warrant to murder suspect Arnold Rosero in Barangay Anas at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

The bodies of three unidentified rebels were found at the clash site after the 15- minute firefight. The police did not report any casualty on the government team.

Calubaquib said the operation was part of a pursuit operation to identify the people behind the deaths of Far Eastern University football player

Kieth Absalon, 21, and his cousin Nolven Absalon, 40, who were killed when a land son, Chrisbin Daniel, 16, was wounded in the blast. mine exploded as they were biking in Barangay Anas on Sunday morning. Nolven’s responsible for planting and detonating the bomb along a village road where the Authorities believe a group of NPA rebels under Rosero’s leadership was Absalons were passing. Appeal to Duterte Army Capt. John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division public affairs chief, said government troops also found 14 M16 rifles, an M653 rifle, an M14 rifle, bullets, tents and bomb parts in a nipa hut at the boundary of the villages of Anas and Bolo. family get justice. Vilma, Kieth’s mother, has appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to help their

“I hope the President could help us to find justice for my … son who was just starting to dream of giving honor to the country,” she said. the cousins for soldiers. In an earlier interview, Kieth’s relatives said they believed the NPA rebels mistook https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1443547/3-rebels-killed-in-masbate-clash

Mga pulis at mga rebelde nagkaengkuwentro sa Cagayan ABS-CBN News Posted at Jun 09 2021 06:02 AM Sumiklab ang bakbakan sa pagitan ng mga pulis at hinihinalang miyembro ng New People’s Army sa bayan ng Gattaran, Cagayan noong Lunes.

Ayon sa Gattaran Police, papunta sa Sitio Sicalao ng Barangay Mabuno ang mga pulis na miyembro ng 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company para ipagpatuloy ang konstruksyon ng isang bahay sa ilalim ng PNP Libre Project Pabahay.

Pero nang makatawid sa ilog ang mga pulis ay bigla na lang silang pinaputukan ng mga rebelde na nakapwesto sa hindi kalayuan.

Gumanti naman ang mga pulis hanggang dumating na rin ang mga sumaklolong sundalo mula Alpha Company ng 77th Infantry Battalion.

Tumagal umano ng 5 minuto ang palitan ng putok hanggang sa tuluyang umatras ang mga rebelde patungo sa hilagang direksyon.

Wala naman naitalang nasugatan o nasawi sa tropa ng pamahalaan gayundin sa mga residente.

Narekober sa pinangyarihan ng engkwentro ang 18 na basyo ng bala ng kalibre 5.56 mm riffle na ginamit ng mga rebelde. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/09/21/mga-pulis-at-mga-rebelde-nagkaengkuwentro-sa-cagayan

'Reds' kill, bury comrade in Cagayan By Leander C. Domingo

June 9, 2021

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CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, : A former member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) who wanted to leave the insurgent group was killed and buried by his comrades in Baggao, Cagayan last month.

This was confirmed by an informant who also led government forces to the burial site.

On June 4, the remains of Vincent Cusipag alias "MJ" was exhumed by the Army's 501st Infantry Brigade (501st IB) and the 77th Infantry Battalion (77th IB) in coordination with the Philippine National Police in Sitio Birao, Barangay Hacienda Intal.

The recovery of Cusipag's body was witnessed by residents and barangay (village) officials of Hacienda Intal.

Christina Samoy, Cusipag's grandmother, identified her grandson's remains through his clothes and bracelet.

Army intelligence information revealed Cusipag joined the communist movement in 2018 but due to the hardships and difficulties of constant running away from government troops, he decided to cut ties with the CPP-NPA.

Sometime in May, five CPP-NPA members led by Alias Andy captured, killed and buried Cusipag in Sitio Birao. https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/06/09/news/regions/reds-kill-bury-comrade-in-cagayan/1802483

From Philippines to Malaysia, Asia could face ‘double burden’ of dengue and Covid-19

• A small study in Brazil suggests coronavirus patients who previously had dengue are twice as likely to display Covid-19 symptoms • Analysts say there’s no other evidence of a link, but recommend countries where dengue is endemic conduct their own studies to prevent ‘future crises’

Former dengue patients who contract Covid-19 could experience more severe symptoms, a small study has suggested, raising concerns that countries in

Asia, where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic, could face a “double burden” at a time health systems are stretched thin by the coronavirus pandemic.

-reviewed journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, analysed blood samples from 1,285 people in the small town of Mâncio Lima in The study, published in May by the University of Oxford’s peer Brazil’s Amazon region between 2018 and 2020. It found that coronavirus patients who previously had dengue were twice as likely to display Covid-19 symptoms.

Lead researcher, Dr Marcelo Urbano Ferreira, said the research team found no association between a prior dengue infection and the risk of getting infected with the novel coronavirus during the first Covid- 19 wave in Brazil. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3136463/philippines-malaysia-asia- could-face-double-burden

U.S. says to work with allies to help Pacific islands amid China rivalry

Reuters 3 minute read The U.S. policy chief for the Indo-Pacific said on Tuesday the United States aims to work with Japan, New Zealand, Australia and others to assist island nations in the Pacific, a region of increasing strategic competition with China.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-says-work-with-allies-help-pacific-islands-amid-china- rivalry-2021-06-08/

Biden's top Asia official says Myanmar situation getting worse

Reuters 2 minute read

President Joe Biden's policy coordinator for the Indo-Pacific region said on Tuesday the situation inside military-ruled Myanmar was deeply concerning and continuing to get worse and the United States was looking at all possible scenarios there. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bidens-top-asia-official-says-myanmar-situation-getting- worse-2021-06-08/

Analysis: More Chinese firms could fall under Biden’s broader investment ban

Karen Freifeld 4 minute read

U.S. and Chinese flags are seen in front of a U.S. dollar banknote featuring American founding father Benjamin Franklin and a China's yuan banknote featuring late Chinese chairman Mao Zedong in this illustration picture taken May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee/Illustration

President Joe Biden’s order last week banning U.S. investment in certain Chinese companies is broader than a similar one signed by his predecessor Donald Trump and has a lower bar, making it easier to add more companies later. https://www.reuters.com/business/more-chinese-companies-could-fall-under-bidens-broader- investment-ban-2021-06-08/

Blinken says Trump administration had concerns about COVID-19 probe

Reuters 3 minute read (This June 8 story, corrects with source clarifying that Blinken was referring to contractor’s report; corrects wording in paragraph 7 to “office” instead of “officer”)

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/blinken-casts-doubt-methodology-coronavirus-lab-leak-report- 2021-06-08/

US enlists Quad to strengthen critical supply chains White House outlines plan to curb dependence on China for chips and rare earths

President Joe Biden holds a silicon wafer at an online meeting April 12. The growing U.S. rivalry with China, combined with a global chip shortage, is pushing Washington to fortify domestic supply chains. © AP

TAISEI HOYAMA, Nikkei staff writerJune 9, 2021 04:32 JST

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. will work with countries in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and the Group of Seven to address supply chain vulnerabilities for semiconductors and other strategic materials, according to a White House report published Tuesday.

To continue reading, subscribe today https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/US-China-tensions/US-enlists-Quad-to- strengthen-critical-supply-chains

Beijing vows to protect national unity ‘at all costs’ after US senators’ Taiwan visit

• • US delegation travelled to the island in a military plane to announce a vaccine donation, while Antony Blinken has signalled trade talks may resume • Washington’s increasing engagement with Taipei may push Beijing towards more aggressive action, according to analysts senators made a high-profile visit to the island in a military plane. China’s defence ministry has vowed to defend Beijing’s sovereignty over Taiwan “at all costs”, after US

theWashington’s democratic growing island, accordingengagement to with analysts. TaipeiThe could defence push ministryBeijing to on take Tuesday a more said hawkish the trip stand had against seriously damaged the foundation of China-US ties and the stability of the Taiwan Strait, calling it

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3136521/beijing-vows-protect-nat“extremely irresponsible”. ional-unity- all-costs-after-us

30 years on, China, ASEAN committed to building community with shared future (Xinhua) 08:36, June 08, 2021

-- The two sides have become an important pillar for regional peace and stability and a powerful engine for development and prosperity, setting the most successful paradigm of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, according to Wang.

-- During the meeting, the foreign ministers agreed to beef up pragmatic cooperation in such areas as fighting the pandemic, economic recovery, connectivity, disaster relief and prevention, as well as sustainable development. -- China and ASEAN should forge a higher level of strategic partnership and build a closer community with a shared future in the following 30 years, said Wang.

CHONGQING, June 7 (Xinhua) -- China and ASEAN countries on Monday agreed to promote the upgrading of bilateral ties, build an even closer community with a shared future and open up another 30 years of even greater cooperation.

The agreement came as Chinese and ASEAN foreign ministers gathered in Chongqing for a special ASEAN-China foreign ministers' meeting in celebration of the 30th anniversary of dialogue relations http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0608/c90000-9858694.html

Xi stresses strong primary-level Party organizations for communities (Xinhua) 10:07, June 08, 2021

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with local people while visiting a residential community in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, June 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

XINING, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has stressed that strong primary-level Party organizations are needed to provide good services in communities for the public.

Xi made the remarks on Monday afternoon while visiting a residential community during his inspection tour of northwest China's Qinghai Province. http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0608/c90000-9858782.html

Uyghur Tribunal Wraps up With Testimony on Enforced Disappearances, Detentions, And Deaths More than 30 witnesses and experts testified during the four-day session in London.

By Roseanne Gerin 2021-06-07

Members of the 'Uyghur Tribunal' view images of what witnesses say are re-education camps in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, on the first day of hearings investigating alleged abuses against Uyghurs in China, in London, June 4, 2021.

AFP Witnesses and experts testified about enforced disappearances, the compulsory sterilization of women and forced contraception, organ harvesting, and torture by Chinese authorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) on the final day of a tribunal in London investigating whether China’s treatment of its ethnic Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims constitutes genocide. The nine-member tribunal chaired by prominent British lawyer Geoffrey Nice conducted the first set of hearings known as the “Uyghur Tribunal” on June 4-7 at the headquarters of the Church of England. A second round of hearings will be held on Sept. 10-13. On Monday, eight voluntary witnesses and experts appeared before the tribunal and its counsel to answer questions based on earlier submitted written testimony and reports. In all, more than 30 witnesses and experts have provided testimony and appeared before the tribunal, which has no state backing or powers of sanction or enforcement. Any judgments issued are nonbinding on any government. Wang Leizhang, a Chinese police officer who served in the XUAR in 2018, told the panel that he came to realize that he was serving the interests not of the people but of Beijing in the XUAR. In his written testimony, Wang said his job duties focused on maintaining social order and national security by investigating anti-separatist movements in the XUAR, where he learned from other police officers about the existence of a committee organized by local authorities that decided who would be sent to the “re- education camps.” The committee also was responsible for the surveillance and monitoring of citizens as well as arrests and detentions of individuals.

“Gradually though my experience, I realized seeing through how the system worked that I wasn’t serving the people,” he said through a translator via videoconference on Monday as he wore his former policeman’s uniform. “I was actually serving the emperor and protecting their power.” “Therefore, I can say that I’m a patriot to my people, not to the regime — the fascist regime — and how they were ruling the country in a most cruel way,” he added. Wang left China in 2020 and was granted asylum in Germany, where he now lives. China has held up to 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in a network of detention camps since 2017. Beijing has said that the camps are vocational training centers or re-education centers and has denied widespread and documented allegations that it has subjected Muslims living in the XUAR to severe rights abuses. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/uyghur-tribunal-06072021173432.html

China will always support Myanmar in choosing its own path, says senior diplomat

Reuters 1 minute read China will always support Myanmar in choosing its own developmental path, Chinese senior diplomat Wang yi told his Myanmar counterpart on Tuesday. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-will-always-support-myanmar-choosing-its-own- path-says-senior-diplomat-2021-06-08/

China marks World Oceans Day with a focus on protecting marine biodiversity (Xinhua) 14:55, June 08, 2021

A staff member dives in the sea area of Wuzhizhou Island in Sanya, south China's Province, April 27, 2020.(Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Countries across the world will observe World Oceans Day on Tuesday. This year's theme, "The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods," highlights the importance of oceans for the life and activities of the global community.

In China, this year's World Oceans Day will be marked with a focus on protecting marine biodiversity and raising public awareness on the harmonious coexistence between humankind and nature.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0608/c90000-9858985.html

Xi's proposal on building maritime community with shared future receives recognition (Xinhua) 14:13, June 08, 2021 BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The world marks the 13th World Oceans Day on Tuesday. Chinese President Xi Jinping has, on various occasions, called for strengthening cooperation in protecting the oceans, and his proposal of building a maritime community with a shared future has gained worldwide resonance.

Oceans are of great significance to the survival and development of humanity as they breed life, connect the world and promote development, Xi said on April 23, 2019, when he met with the heads of foreign delegations invited to multinational naval events marking the 70th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.

In his remarks, Xi called for joint efforts to address common threats and challenges at sea, and safeguard maritime peace and tranquility. "The blue planet humans inhabit is not divided into islands by the oceans, but is connected by the oceans to form a community with a shared future, where people of all countries share weal and woe," Xi said.

At present, ocean-based cooperation in market, technology, information, culture, and other areas is steadily deepening, Xi said, noting that the reason for China to propose jointly building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is to facilitate maritime connectivity, pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and the development of the "blue economy," as well as to promote the integration of maritime cultures and to improve maritime wellbeing.

Maritime peace and tranquility, Xi said, concern the security and interests of all countries and need to be jointly maintained and cherished.

"The peace-loving Chinese people long for peace and will unswervingly stay on the path of peaceful development," he said.

China pays great attention to the building of marine ecological civilization, persistently intensifies the prevention and treatment of marine pollution, protects marine biodiversity and orderly exploits the marine resources in order to leave a blue sky and clean ocean for future generations, he said. Cavince Adhere, a Kenyan researcher of international relations, said that China is making a very meaningful contribution to Africa's quest for peace and security in the maritime sector.

China is fulfilling its proposals and commitments by repelling pirates off the coast of Somalia, and leveraging existing continental frameworks such as the African Union to counterterrorism in the continent, said the expert. Meanwhile, healthcare provision by Chinese naval hospital ship to many countries around the world and African in particular, further exemplifies the decision by China to go beyond maritime security into softer yet complementary aspects such as human security through healthcare services, Adhere said.

The Port of Piraeus in Greece is part of the Belt and Road Initiative, and contributes to organic interconnectivity across the world, George Tzogopoulos, director of EU-China programmes and senior research fellow at the International Center for European Studies, told Xinhua.

China's vision about maritime development goes beyond this kind of connectivity into issues of cardinal significance that require international cooperation under the UN framework, which include regional peace, biodiversity, environmental protection, preservation of natural resources and safe transportation, the expert said. http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0608/c90000-9858946.html

Taiwan’s coronavirus outbreak, drought and power cuts force semiconductor makers to ramp up contingency plans

• The island’s chip makers are grappling with surging coronavirus infections, a drought and erratic power supply • The combination of risks threatens to knock back productivity in Taiwan’s US$10.3 billion semiconductor industry

Lunar New Year, when workers leave en masse. Standing outside Nanya Technology’s vast manufacturing complex in Taiwan, it could be mistaken for -style reception area west of Taipei, and employees exited the 10-storey administration building alone or in pairsOn a recent for lunch Friday, at a canteenjust a trickle across of thelight street. delivery trucks stopped by the complex’s Art Deco random-access memory for consumer electronics, operations are chugging along near normal albeit withBut inside a few theadded hulking precautions. factory walls at Nanya, the world’s fourth largest manufacturer of dynamic – https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3136342/taiwans-coronavirus-outbreak- drought-and-power-cuts-force

Video of COVID chaos in 'Taiwan' posted by Malaysian minister actually of China

Malaysian minister posts Guangdong video falsely labeled as being shot in 'Taiwan'

16576

By Keoni Everington, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

2021/06/08 11:46

(Facebook, Annuar Musa screenshot)

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Malaysian politician on Monday (June 7) uploaded a video purporting to show panicked mobs of people clambering to get vaccinated in Taiwan, but it was actually footage shot in China.

On his Facebook page on Monday, Annuar Musa, Malaysia's Minister of Federal Territories, uploaded a video labeled in Malay "Vaksin di Taiwan," meaning "vaccine in Taiwan." At the top of the post, Annuar cryptically wrote "just a reflection... don't insult your own country."

The video displays Chinese characters reading "getting vaccinated" (打疫苗了), and the first sign it's from China are the simplified characters 冲啊, meaning "rush!"

At the beginning of the video, officials can be seen opening metal gates as swarms of people rush forward. Another shot shows people sprinting from a building with palm trees in the background, indicating a tropical climate.

The next shot shows a sidewalk completely filled with people pushing and shoving as they plow forward. One of the shops has a sign printed with the simplified characters 经典, meaning "classic," over the entrance. https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4218329

LDP focusing on solidifying organized support in upcoming Tokyo assembly election

The Yomiuri Shimbun

Top: Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike smiles in front of the board for her party’s winners of the Tokyo assembly election in July 2017. Above: The senior members of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Tokyo chapter are seen depressed at the result of that election. The Yomiuri ShimbunWith less than one month to go until the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election on July 4, political parties have been gearing up for their campaigns with the view that this poll is a barometer to gauge the next House of Representatives election.

The Liberal Democratic Party, which suffered a crushing defeat in the previous Tokyo assembly election four years ago, has been struggling to solidify its organizational support while being wary of a backlash against the party.

On Thursday, LDP Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai called LDP Diet members elected from Tokyo constituencies one after another into his office to give them a pep talk. Nikai handed over a document showing the voting data in the previous election to the lawmakers, including Katsuei Hirasawa, the minister for reconstruction. Nikai said: “If things go like this again, we’ll go nowhere. Make every possible effort, because the Tokyo assembly election is the lead-up to the lower house election.”

In the previous Tokyo assembly election, the LDP was overwhelmed by the regional political party Tomin First no Kai, which was led by Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, and won only 23 seats.

Tomin First won 49 seats, obtaining a position as the largest party in the 127-seat assembly.

This time, however, Tomin First does not seem to have the momentum seen in the previous election. According to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey in late May that asked which party the respondents will vote for in the next Tokyo assembly election, the LDP ranked No. 1 at 30%, with Tomin First at only 11%.

The LDP has relied on organizational votes, such as those from industry organizations. The LDP’s House of Councillors caucus is making full use of its lawmakers elected under the proportional representation system who have a strong connection with industry organizations. The LDP’s Party Organization and Campaign Headquarters is repeatedly holding meetings to hear requests from industry organizations. A senior LDP member said, “If we can solidify our support base, we’ll be able to seek a large gain in the seats.”

Another favorable factor for the LDP is the return of Komeito, which cooperated with Tomin First in the previous election. Komeito restored its cooperative relationship with the LDP in Tokyo this time.

However, the activities of Soka Gakkai, Komeito’s main support base, have been largely restricted by the novel coronavirus crisis. A senior Komeito member said, “There is a limit to our efforts to call for support by using telephones alone.”

There is also concern about how voters evaluate the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis, and a series of “money and politics” scandals involving LDP lawmakers. https://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0007459967

Top Japanese virologist warns of risks of Tokyo Games during COVID-19 pandemic: Report

The emblems of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games are displayed during an unveiling event of the items that will be used for the victory ceremonies, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan on Jun 3, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Issei Kato/Pool)

08 Jun 2021 10:40AM(Updated: 08 Jun 2021 12:13PM) TOKYO: A top Japanese virologist and government adviser has warned of the risks of spreading COVID-19 infections during the Tokyo Olympics, the Times of London reported on Tuesday (Jun 8) the latest high-profile caveat about the global sporting showpiece.

Tohoku University p approach to the pandemic, which advises avoiding closed spaces, crowds and close contact situations. rofessor Hiroshi Oshitani was an architect of Japan's "Three Cs”

Com “The government and the organising committee, including the IOC (International Olympic infectionmittee), in Japan keep andsaying also they’re in other holding countries a safe after Olympics. the Olympics," But everybody the Times knows quoted there is a Oshitanirisk. It’s 100as telling per cent the impossible newspaper. to have an Olympics with zero risk ... of the spread of have any variants. We should not make the Olympics (an occasion) to spread the virus to these"There countries," are a number he added, of countries noting that most do countries not have lack many vaccine cases,s. and a number that don’t

Already postponed from last year because of the pandemic, a scaled-down version of the Games with no foreign spectators is set to start on Jul 23 despite public fears the event could spread the coronavirus and drain medical resources. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/risks-tokyo-games-olympics-covid-19-hiroshi-oshitani-- 14970236

Despite danger and cost, Japan gambles on successful Olympics • Roads around the National Stadium were closed off Tuesday in preparation for the Tokyo Summer Olympics, scheduled to open on July 23. | KYODO

• BY ISABEL REYNOLDS, YUKO TAKEO AND GERRY SMITH • BLOOMBERG • SHARE • Jun 8, 2021 The Tokyo Olympic Games are reaching the point of no return.

With seven weeks until the opening ceremony, the Japanese government, the International Olympic Committee and major stakeholders are gambling political reputations and billions of dollars on staging a games that could lift global spirits and show how we could begin a return to normality. Or, in the worst case, create a superspreader event that savages Japan’s tottering economic recovery and blights the image of the world’s biggest sporting showcase. Mired in controversy since the coronavirus outbreak caused it to be delayed in early 2020, the games has become a weather vane for opinion on how governments and populations should beat the virus.

Initially, the goal was to delay the 205-nation spectacle until the pandemic was under control. But as months passed and vaccine rollouts struggled to halt new outbreaks, the tournament has become symbolic of a divide between those who want to keep restrictions until COVID-19 is stamped out, and those driven by the financial and reputational cost of not holding the event, even while the threat remains. Here’s what’s at stake, whether the Olympics go ahead or are canceled at the last moment, from the reputation of Japan’s top political echelon to the investments of sponsors, governments and organizers, as well as the health of the city’s population and the dreams and well-being of the world’s greatest athletes.

The economy

Scrapping the Olympics could inflict a direct economic loss of as much as ¥1.8 trillion ($16.4 billion), according to Takahide Kiuchi, an economist at Nomura Research Institute Ltd. But the economic fallout could run much wider than that. As well as the lost spending by participants, their entourages and local residents, the cancellation would be a blow to the mood of the nation that could depress spending and investment across the economy. Organizers are already having to count the cost of a ban on overseas spectators, whom Tokyo had hoped would help pay for all the stadiums and infrastructure built for the event. Yuki Masujima of Bloomberg Economics goes even further, with a worst-case analysis that sees most of this year’s projected growth wiped out should the games be axed. His 1.7 percentage-point hit to the economy is based on a worsening local COVID-19 outbreak triggering the cancellation of the event and forcing the government to extend restrictions.

Even worse would be the Olympics going ahead and turning into a superspreader event. While it’s not his main scenario, Kiuchi says that could put Japan into an emergency that would be more costly than calling off the games. On the other hand, a successful Olympics could have the reverse effect, not only bringing in revenue and boosting spending, but lifting the mood of companies and households. In an ideal case, it would propel a shrinking economy in emergency mode into a recovery that would be further fueled by an accelerating vaccination drive.

It might also have an even larger effect globally, sending a signal of optimism around the hundreds of nations that tune in to watch their athletes compete.

The politicians

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is gambling his job on pulling off a successful games in the face of opposition to the event from the general public and many top business leaders. He faces a party leadership election by September and general election that has to be held by October. While his ruling Liberal Democratic Party is unlikely to be toppled by a splintered opposition in the national vote, Suga’s prospects are more precarious. His support rates are at their lowest since he took office in 2020 and a catastrophic Olympics and public backlash could propel Suga toward the revolving door that dispatched six premiers in five years before his predecessor. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, next to the mascots of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, speaks to reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office in April. | POOL / VIA REUTERS Even a safe and successful games may not bolster Suga’s public approval rating. While the typical trajectory shows voters in host countries turn from curmudgeonly to exuberant when the Olympic flame is lit, he still faces judgment on his handling of the nation’s vaccine rollout. Others have also found that the games can be double edged. U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron got no particular boost from London 2012, according to a survey following the games, despite widespread praise of the event. By contrast, then-London Mayor Boris Johnson became a favorite to take over as premier following the games.

The medics

Japan’s medical establishment is becoming increasingly nervous about bringing together 78,000 people from around the world for the Olympics and Paralympics.

Organizers had initially planned to have about 10,000 doctors, nurses and medical staff on standby for the games, but have had to cut that number to about 7,000 because of the need for staff to deal with ongoing outbreaks. And organizers are struggling to meet even that. Only 80% of the reduced goal has been achieved, according to Seiko Hashimoto, president of the organizing committee. That’s almost half the original goal. “We have strong reservations about hosting the Olympics at the expense of the lives and health of patients and nurses,” said Susumu Morita, secretary-general of the Japan Federation of Medical Worker’s Unions. Failure to ensure enough medical support for the spectators, athletes and delegations could mean a decision to ban not only overseas fans, but also local spectators, leaving athletes performing in empty arenas.

The broadcasters

While spectators in the stands are a boost for the host city, the Olympics has long been about broadcasting rights — beaming events to more than 3 billion viewers. Comcast Corp. paid $4.4 billion to have its NBC network show the Olympics in the U.S. from 2014 to 2020 — about $1.1 billion per tournament — and the station is proceeding as if the Olympics will begin as scheduled.

NBC executives are betting that pent-up demand from last summer’s postponement will help drive higher viewership and turn around recent ratings declines for the games. That would be a boost for the network, as it has already agreed to pay another $7.75 billion to air the games from 2021 to 2032. It’s a big money spinner for the company, which earned $250 million from the 2016 summer games in Rio de Janeiro.

“Our plans continue full force to present the games on our NBC platforms this summer,” NBC Sports spokesman Greg Hughes said.

Torch bearers exchange flames during the Olympic torch relay in Niigata Prefecture on Saturday. | BLOOMBERG The financial consequences of another postponement or cancellation aren’t clear. In March 2020, just before the pandemic forced the games to be delayed, NBC said that it had sold a record $1.25 billion in advertising for the Olympics. The company hasn’t detailed what happened to those advertising commitments. Some customers may have repurposed that spending on other NBC programming last summer, others may have asked for their money back.

Discovery Inc., which broadcasts the Olympics in Europe, is counting on the event to promote its new online streaming service, Discovery+, while NBC is pushing its own service, Peacock, at home. Both companies say they are insured against the games being canceled.

“There should be no losses should there not be an Olympics,” Comcast Chief Executive Officer Brian Roberts said last year before the games were postponed. But he also said that if the games didn’t occur, there “wouldn’t be a profit.” The insurers

Among the biggest casualties should the games be canceled are the insurance companies that have underwritten the risk for not only the broadcasters, but also the national teams, sponsors and hundreds of other companies and organizations that depended on the event. The cost of cancellation to insurers is estimated to be $2 billion to $3 billion, hitting an industry already battered by 2020 losses. That includes the approximately $800 million taken out by the IOC in event cancellation insurance plus the additional cover purchased by the local organizing committees and likely claims from broadcasters, sponsors, professional sports teams and hospitality, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Charles Graham.

Swiss Re AG said in March last year, just before the postponement of the games, that the Tokyo Olympics posed the biggest single risk at the time to the the world’s second- largest reinsurer, with a potential hit of $250 million. A spokesman for the company confirmed last week that remains the case.

Munich Re, the world’s largest reinsurer, confirmed that it is involved in insuring the Tokyo Olympics and would be “affected” if the games were called off, but declined to provide additional details about its exposure. Aon PLC, which last year agreed to buy Willis Towers Watson PLC to create the world’s largest insurance broker, declined to comment on what impact a cancellation may have on it.

Even so, for individual insurers, any potential impact won’t derail their earnings outlooks, Graham said.

“It would be the largest single event loss but not large enough to be a major earnings event,” Graham said. “To give some perspective, the two largest global reinsurers — Munich Re and Swiss Re — alone incurred $2.7 billion of event cancellation losses in 2020.”

The athletes

For athletes in more than 30 different sports, the quadrennial Summer Olympics is the most important event in their calendar, not only for the glory of achieving the pinnacle of their sport, but also because it can determine rewards, sponsorship deals and professional careers. Just making an Olympic team requires a huge investment in time, dedication and money. “The Olympics are pretty special,” said Brady Ellison, 32, an archer in Team U.S.A., who is hoping for gold after winning bronze and silver medals in previous Olympics. “When you train for the Olympics, your life runs in four-year segments.” Training to be at peak performance for July 2020 and then finding the games has been delayed caused extra hardship, stress and expense for many participants. For Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, 30, it meant seven months away from her family while she trained in Malaysia. “I miss my mom and her food,” she said. “But this is what I want, this is what I love to do.”

If the games don’t go ahead, retiring athletes will probably never see another chance to win a medal at the Olympics. For those who are able to compete next time around in Paris 2024, it will be back to training and world tournaments to prepare, in three years instead of four.

Athletes compete during an Olympics test event at the National Stadium in Tokyo on May 9. | BLOOMBERG https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/06/08/national/japan-olympics-gamble/

‘Hostage diplomacy’? Russia’s seizure of Japanese trawler raises eyebrows as Russian arrested over fishermen’s deaths

• Moscow’s embassy in Tokyo on Monday demanded that Japan not ‘politicise’ the incident following the arrest of a Russian sailor over the three deaths • Russia, in turn, has been accused by observers of ‘hostage diplomacy’ for seizing a Japanese trawler with 14 crew aboard two days after the fatal crash

A diplomatic dispute has erupted between Russia and Japan after three Japanese fishermen were killed in a collision with a Russian ship. arrest of a Russian sailor charged with causing the deaths. Russia, in turn, has been accused by Moscow’s embassy in Tokyo on Monday demanded that Japan not “politicise” the incident following the fatal collision. observers of “hostage diplomacy” for seizing a Japanese trawler with 14 crew aboard two days after the Pavel Dobrianski, 38, was detained on Monday after Japanese investigators determined he was in command of the 662-tonne Amur when it hit the 9.7-tonne Hokko Maru No. 8 at around 6am on May 26. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3136525/hostage-diplomacy-russias-seizure- japanese-trawler-raises

Korea not considering boycott of Tokyo Olympics amid Dokdo spat: ministry Posted : 2021-06-08 17:08 Updated : 2021-06-08 17:08

South Korea is not considering boycotting the Tokyo Olympics, the foreign ministry said Tuesday, after presidential hopefuls of the ruling Democratic Party mentioned the possibility of a boycott amid a renewed territorial spat with Japan over the East Sea islets of Dokdo.

Rep. Lee Nak-yon and former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun raised the need to mull boycotting the Games, slated to take place from July 23-Aug. 8, should Japan not revise the map of the Olympic torch relay route that included Dokdo as its territory.

"Dokdo is the territory of the Republic of Korea historically, geographically and by international law, and our government is exercising firm territorial sovereignty over Dokdo," Choi Young-sam, ministry spokesman, told a regular press briefing. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2021/06/663_310170.html

North Korea Taps Workers in Russia to Fund Pyongyang Construction Workers complain that they barely make enough for living expenses but now must pay even more to their government.

2021-06-07

North Korean workers at a construction site in Vladivostok, Russia, in an undated photo. North Korean workers dispatched to Russia must now pay their government an additional U.S. $100 in so-called “loyalty funds” to help cover the costs of a 10,000-home construction project in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, sources in Russia told RFA. The workers, sent abroad by their government to earn foreign cash, were already paying the lion’s share of their salaries in loyalty funds. They were left with just enough to cover their own living expenses and a small remittance to their families back home, but the extra payments are now stretching them even thinner.

“Last week, I ran into a North Korean who works in Vladivostok who told me that he was very upset because the North Korean authorities ordered him to pay additional loyalty funds,” a Russian citizen of Korean descent living in the Russian Far Eastern city told RFA’s Korean Service on June 1. “The order came at the end of April, and it says each person must pay an additional U.S. $100 per month,” said the source, who requested anonymity to speak freely. “We know that the extra loyalty funds will go to housing construction in Pyongyang.” The ambitious building project is the brainchild of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un, who promised at the ruling Korean Workers’ Party congress in January to alleviate the capital’s housing shortage with 50,000 new homes by the end of 2025, including 10,000 in 2021. Funding for such a major project would be a challenge in most years, but authorities have had to be even more creative as the North Korean economy is in shambles due to the double squeeze of international nuclear sanctions and the suspension of all trade with China since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in January 2020.

“The guy told me that none of the North Korean workers could be excluded from this additional allocation of loyalty funds, and that the authorities even threatened those in charge of managing the work force,” said the source in Vladivostok. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/russia-06072021164453.html

Myanmar Security Forces Arresting Relatives of Anti-Coup Activists

Legal experts say such tactics are in violation of domestic and international human rights laws.

2021They-06-07 Can’t Nab in Raids Security personnel loyal to Myanmar’s military regime who fail to detain anti-coup activists in raids are increasingly arresting their family members, apparently to use them as leverage, sources say, with the move prompting the condemnation of watchdogs who call the practice a violation of law and human rights.

Last week, security forces in Bago region’s Okshitpin township raided the home of Min Min Oo, who has helped to organize protests against the junta for its Feb. 1 overthrow of Myanmar’s democratically elected government. A source close to the family told RFA’s Myanmar Service that when they were unable to find him, they arrested his 60-year-old mother and wife, who is in her 40s.

“Min Min Oo is an active youth leader here,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity fearing reprisal. “They have been looking for him since he became prominent.” “The two women were not released … I don't know where they were taken.” On May 2, around 200 troops raided the home of political activist Tin Htut Paing in North Okkalapa township, in Myanmar’s largest city Yangon. The activist told RFA that when they were unable to find him, they beat up his 90- year-old grandmother and 64-year-old mother, who was later arrested and sentenced to three years in prison on May 28 for violating Section 505(a) of the Penal Code for “circulating statements, rumors, or reports with the intent to cause military officers to disregard or fail in their duties.” “I never thought they could be that evil—not in the city,” he said. “I had thought there might be some interrogations. But now they have raided the house, smashed everything, and beaten old women … They beat [my grandmother] with their fists and with a gun. This is just another example of how the minions of a military dictatorship oppress the people.” Tin Htut Paing said he had been away from home for a long time due to work and had no contact with his family as popular resistance grew against the junta in the months since the coup. He said his mother suffers from several medical conditions and that she prison authorities are no longer keeping her isolated from the general population of inmates as a political prisoner.

Myanmar’s military says that its government takeover was justified, claiming the landslide victory of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party in the country’s November 2020 elections was the result of voter fraud, although it has produced no evidence to support its allegations. In the time since the takeover, authorities have responded to widespread protests and a growing Civil Disobedience Movement with violent crackdowns that have killed more than 850 people. Cruel new tactics Legal experts told RFA that junta troops under Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing have acted with a malevolence far surpassing that of the country’s prior military regime. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/arrests-06072021192645.html

Burmese junta defends its response

ROADMAP: An official told ASEAN ministers that the only way to ensure a democratic system that is disciplined and genuine is through a program the military proposed

• Reuters

Burmese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wunna Maung Lwin defended a plan to restore democracy after a meeting at which his Southeast Asian counterparts pressed the army to implement a regional agreement meant to end turmoil, state media reported yesterday.

The junta has paid little heed to demands from ASEAN to respect a “consensus” agreed in late April to end violence and hold political talks with its opponents.

Southeast Asian foreign ministers expressed disappointment at the meeting in China on Monday at the “very slow” progress made by Myanmar on its proposal for ending the turmoil since the army on Feb. 1 overthrew Burmese State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.

State media cited Wunna Maung Lwin, the junta-appointed foreign minister, as telling the ASEAN-China foreign ministers’ meeting that the military had made progress on its own five-step roadmap for the country unveiled after its coup.

“The minister apprised the meeting that the only way to ensure the democratic system that is disciplined and genuine was through the five-point future program that was declared in February,” the Global New Light of Myanmar reported.

Wunna Maung Lwin said that most of these points had been met, including preventative COVID-19 measures and setting up a new election commission to look into alleged fraud during an election in November last year that was won convincingly by Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the newspaper reported.

The military defended its seizure of power after a decade of tentative steps toward democracy, saying that the old election commission had ignored its complaints of fraud.

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2021/06/09/2003758866

Myanmar: The mysterious deaths of the NLD party officials

By Jonathan Head

image captionKhin Maung Latt (L) and Zaw Myat Lynn (R) both died earlier in March The violence used by Myanmar's armed forces against unarmed opponents since the coup in February has shocked the world; more than 800 people have been killed, most by military gunfire. But the deaths in custody of two officials from the National League of Democracy - the party led by Aung San Suu Kyi - have cast an even grimmer light on the military's actions.

On Saturday, 6 March, cities across Myanmar were on edge.

Three days earlier they had experienced what had then been the most violent day since the coup in February - with the UN recording the deaths of 38 people.

The army had seized power on 1 February, after claiming - without evidence - that a previous election which saw the NLD gain power was fraudulent.

Ms Suu Kyi and senior leaders were put under house arrest - triggering waves of protest against the military. For the first three weeks the military had seemed unsure how to respond to the protests. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57380237

India’s concerns over China’s rising influence in Sri Lanka grow with progress of US$1.4 billion port city project

• New legislation governing Colombo Port City was passed last month amid local opposition to the project funded by a Chinese state-owned firm • Ex-diplomat says India cannot match China’s resources to build infrastructure in countries such as Sri Lanka, which has dismissed concerns about ‘debt traps’

growing influence in Sri Lanka have been exacerbated after the approval of controversial legislation governing a Chinese-funded US$1.4 billion project to build a special economicIndia’s concerns zone (SEZ)over China’s next to the main port in Colombo.The Colombo Port City Economic Commission 25-member parliament last month. Among other things, it empowers a seven-member body appointed by the president with complete control over all decisions related to Bill was passed by Sri Lanka’s 2 the Colombo Port City zone. unit of state-owned China CommunicationsCritics are concerned Construction that without Company. parliament’s oversight, the project would be administered largely according to the wishes of the SEZ’s major investor, CHEC Port City Colombo, a https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3136486/indias-concerns-over-chinas- rising-influence-sri-lanka-grow

The Best of ChinaPower: Unveiling China’s Digital Currency Goals: A Conversation with Kevin Desouza

This special "best of ChinaPower" episode unpacks China’s push to develop a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Our guest, Dr. Kevin Desouza, explains Beijing's motives and compares China’s plans for creating its own national digital currency with those of other countries. Dr. Desouza explores how a national digital currency can be used to bolster China’s finance and technology sectors, as well as its economy as a whole. He also offers his views on what China’s timeline might be for rolling out its own CBDC, particularly in light of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Kevin Desouza is a professor of Business, Technology, and Strategy in the School of Management at the Queensland University of Technology Business School. Dr. Desouza is also a Nonresident Senior Fellow in the Governance Studies Program at the Brookings Institution, and a Distinguished Research Fellow at the China Institute for Urban Governance at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He has held tenured faculty appointments at the University of Washington, Virginia Tech, and Arizona State University. https://www.csis.org/node/61160

What Biden Needs From Europe to Stand Up to China

The transatlantic partnership has to find common ground on military, diplomatic and technology issues. By James Stavridis June 7, 2021, 3:00 PM GMT+8

Ursula von der Leyen, transatlanticist.

Photographer: Martin Bertrand/Bloomberg Next month, for his first overseas trip since being elected, President Joe Biden is, quite logically, going to Europe. He will seek to smooth U.S.-European relations, which were generally difficult under the administration of President Donald Trump, notably with North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners. Naturally, Biden will want to talk about Covid-19,

climate change, Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan. But the top item on his list should be how the U.S. and Europe can work together to face China which is a long way from Europe, but at the center of the global agenda.

— As China continues to expand its Belt and Road Initiative project globally, its economy, military capability and diplomatic reach will expand, bumping into the U.S. in a variety of venues.

And given the projected size and technological sophistication of China as the 2020s unfold, the U.S. will need a very strong network of allies, partners and friends to help provide balance as Beijing rises. China is clearly working to reshape the world order in ways that will be detrimental to both the U.S. and Europe, enhancing the role of authoritarian states and diminishing the influence of democracies. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-06-07/what-biden-needs-from-europe-to-stand- up-to-china?srnd=opinion The fadeout of the Pax Americana in the Middle East

After centuries of domination by foreigners, the Middle East is now being reshaped primarily by interactions between countries within it.

This article has been adapted from remarks delivered to the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy.

The Middle East is where Africa, Asia, and Europe meet, where the three Abrahamic religions were born, and where their holiest places are. It’s where the planet’s hydrocarbon resources are most abundant and accessible, and where the strategic lines of communication that connect Asia to Europe can most easily be severed. Not surprisingly, the region has been a major focus of great power contention and military intervention. But that is now changing. After centuries of domination by foreigners – most recently by the United States – the Middle East is now being reshaped primarily by interactions between countries within it.

Napoleon’s 1798 invasion of Egypt marked the opening round of a traumatic Western assault on the West Asian and North African heartland of Islamic civilization. As in other proud cultures also brought low by European imperialism like China and India, much of the Middle East’s political dynamics are now driven by nationalist reactions to the indignities of a humiliating encounter with the West. But while China and India, like Japan before them, are recovering their self-confidence, the Middle East has yet to find a cure for its post-colonial hangover.

There is broad agreement in the region that such a cure lies in some sort of revamp of Islamic traditions and patterns of governance. But Islam is as schismatic as Judaism and Christianity, and there is no consensus about what Islamic governance should be. Are the values and policies of Muslim societies to be defined and enforced by the consultative practices of shura, by a virtuous emir acting in concert with an `ulama, or by a religious scholar acting under wilayat al-faqih? If parliamentary democracy is adopted, is there a role for Islamist versions of the Christian Democratic parties of Europe? If Islam is the answer, will it be the same in both Shia and Sunni societies? If Islam is not the answer, is the secular militarism of countries like Egypt a viable substitute?

The Middle East is a region divided more than most by the geopolitical calculations of assertive nation states, diverse religious traditions, discordant levels of tolerance, contrasting systems of governance, uneven endowments of natural resources and wealth, differing levels of technological competence, and distinctive historical experiences. Is such a region capable of crafting the peaceable order it needs to regain its lost civilizational pride and cultural eminence? How will the contests between religiosity and secularism, autocratic traditions and democratic aspirations, rentier and knowledge-based political economies, patriarchy and feminism, and Salafism and more relaxed forms of Islam turn out? Where will the rivalries between the Gulf Arabs and Iran, Israel, Iran, and Turkey, or Israel, the Palestinians, and other Arabs take the region? The Middle East kaleidoscope has yet to stop turning. https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2021/06/08/the-fadeout-of-the-pax-americana-in-the-middle-east/

Hontiveros to DND: Consider restructuring AFP by beefing up maritime forces

Published June 8, 2021, 9:59 AM by Hannah Torregoza The Department of National Defense (DND) should explore the feasibility of restructuring the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with additional forces to boost the country’s maritime defense.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said this proposal may be worth considering in light of China’s continuous presence in the West Philippine Sea.

“Our armed forces primarily consist of land forces. While we still do have internal security threats on land, I think there is no harm in studying how we can better equip our maritime forces, especially since China is not leaving our waters,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“Lumalaki at dumadami ang banta na dala ng Tsina sa ating mga karagatan, kaya’t dapat maging handa tayo sa magiging implikasyon nito sa ating kinabukasan (China’s presence in our seas is becoming bigger and becoming a very serious threat, that’s why we need to be ready to face its implications to our future),” the senator added.

Hontiveros made the call in response to Dr. Clarita Carlos, University of the Philippines (UP) professor and former National Defense College of the Philippines president who noted that the country’s current AFP is configured for a continental country rather than an archipelagic one.

Carlos has proposed to alter the structure of the AFP to serve the country’s national interests in the maritime domain.

Currently, the AFP’s composition, according to Carlos is 71 percent Army, 18 percent Navy, of which nearly half are , and 11 percent Air Force.

The senator pointed out the Philippines cannot afford to back down against China’s repeated incursions in the West Philippine Sea, noting that the government has repeatedly filed diplomatic protests but to no avail.

“Our is getting a meager allocation for its equipment. A stronger maritime defense force sends China a clear message we will not back down,” the senator pointed out. Hontiveros recalled that when around 220 Chinese vessels were seen in Julian Felipe Reef in March, Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana vowed to increase vessels of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard in the WPS.

The lawmaker said she fully supports Lorenzana’s call, adding that she hopes the defense chief can now consider the proposal highlighting the DND’s need for a long term strategic development plan that would squarely address the country’s woes with China.

“China is a massive threat to our country. Let’s not deny that. Our national security, national interest, and national dignity are all at stake,” she stressed.

“Ngayong linggo na ipinagdiriwang natin ang Araw ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas, sana ang sakripisyo at giting ng ating mga ninuno ay magbigay inspirasyon sa ating lahat, opisyal man o mamamayan, para tunay na ipaglaban ang Pilipinas, (As we celebrate Philippine Independence Day, may we be inspired by the sacrifices of our ancestors, whether officials or ordinary citizens to fully fight for the Philippines),” Hontiveros emphasized.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/08/hontiveros-to-dnd-consider-restructuring-afp-by-beefing-up-maritime- forces/

Hontiveros to DND: Consider restructuring AFP by beefing up maritime forces

Published June 8, 2021, 9:59 AM by Hannah Torregoza The Department of National Defense (DND) should explore the feasibility of restructuring the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with additional forces to boost the country’s maritime defense.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said this proposal may be worth considering in light of China’s continuous presence in the West Philippine Sea.

“Our armed forces primarily consist of land forces. While we still do have internal security threats on land, I think there is no harm in studying how we can better equip our maritime forces, especially since China is not leaving our waters,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“Lumalaki at dumadami ang banta na dala ng Tsina sa ating mga karagatan, kaya’t dapat maging handa tayo sa magiging implikasyon nito sa ating kinabukasan (China’s presence in our seas is becoming bigger and becoming a very serious threat, that’s why we need to be ready to face its implications to our future),” the senator added.

Hontiveros made the call in response to Dr. Clarita Carlos, University of the Philippines (UP) professor and former National Defense College of the Philippines president who noted that the country’s current AFP is configured for a continental country rather than an archipelagic one.

Carlos has proposed to alter the structure of the AFP to serve the country’s national interests in the maritime domain.

Currently, the AFP’s composition, according to Carlos is 71 percent Army, 18 percent Navy, of which nearly half are Marines, and 11 percent Air Force.

The senator pointed out the Philippines cannot afford to back down against China’s repeated incursions in the West Philippine Sea, noting that the government has repeatedly filed diplomatic protests but to no avail.

“Our Philippine Marine Corps is getting a meager allocation for its equipment. A stronger maritime defense force sends China a clear message we will not back down,” the senator pointed out. Hontiveros recalled that when around 220 Chinese vessels were seen in Julian Felipe Reef in March, Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana vowed to increase vessels of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard in the WPS.

The lawmaker said she fully supports Lorenzana’s call, adding that she hopes the defense chief can now consider the proposal highlighting the DND’s need for a long term strategic development plan that would squarely address the country’s woes with China.

“China is a massive threat to our country. Let’s not deny that. Our national security, national interest, and national dignity are all at stake,” she stressed.

“Ngayong linggo na ipinagdiriwang natin ang Araw ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas, sana ang sakripisyo at giting ng ating mga ninuno ay magbigay inspirasyon sa ating lahat, opisyal man o mamamayan, para tunay na ipaglaban ang Pilipinas, (As we celebrate Philippine Independence Day, may we be inspired by the sacrifices of our ancestors, whether officials or ordinary citizens to fully fight for the Philippines),” Hontiveros emphasized.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/08/hontiveros-to-dnd-consider-restructuring-afp-by-beefing-up-maritime- forces/

AFP welcomes Bordado as new Navy chief

Michael Punongbayan (The Philippine Star) - June 9, 2021 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed yesterday the appointment of Rear Admiral Adeluis Bordado as the 39th chief of the Philippine Navy (PN). —

Bordado, who was vice commander prior to his appointment, assumed the top Navy post during the change of command ceremony and retirement rites for Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo.

President Duterte thank

ed Bacordo for his service and contributions-recorded video to the message. military’s upgrade efforts. “With the new chapter unfolding in your life, I wish you continued success Anand accomplished more meaningful naval years officer, ahead,” Bordado Duterte graduated said in fourtha pre out of 135 cadets of Philippine Military Academy Maringal Class of 1988 and was commissioned as an ensign in the PN after graduation.

He rose from the ranks and distinguished himself in the fields of operations, intelligence, information technology, budget, planning and education and training. modernization program that includes acquisition programs for surface and sub-surface “His designation came at the time that the Philippine Navy is vigorously pursuing its assets,” AFP chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejena said. Command, Fort San Felipe, City and graduated top of his class. Bordado also took up the Naval Officers Qualification Course ‘A’ at the Naval Training He excelled at the Foreign Officer Supplementary List Executive Course at the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay, NSW, Australia; Basic Airborne Course (BAC 77-96) at Special Forces School; Naval Command and Staff Course (NCSC 44) at Naval Education and Training Command, Intelligence Training Institute; AFP Comptrollership Course 14; Command at Sea Course 3- 06 at Fleet Training Center; Command and GeneralNaval Intelligence Staff Course Officer’s Class 48 Course at the atAFPCGSC; the Naval Naval Command College at United States , Newport, Rhode Island and the Combined Forces Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC Course 19-1c) at US Pacific Fleet in Honolulu, Hawaii.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/06/09/2104120/afp-welcomes-bordado-new-navy-chief

China, ASEAN agree to avoid provocations in South China Sea Reuters

Chinese structures are pictured in in disputed South China Sea, April 21, 2017. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

Foreign ministers of and China agreed during a meeting to exercise restraint in the South China Sea and avoid actions that could escalate tensions, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said on Tuesday.

The ASEAN statement referred to a meeting on Monday in China of the ministers, and comes after separate diplomatic protests in recent weeks made by Malaysia and the Philippines over the conduct of China's military and fishing fleet.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-asean-agree-avoid-provocations-south-china-sea- 2021-06-08/

Indo-Pacific: The front line of US and China next-gen submarines Ballistic missile 'boomers' are undetectable, but drones and geography hinder use

A rendering of America's next-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine: The planned Columbia class is slated to replace the current vessels in 2031. (Photo courtesy of General Dynamics Electric Boat)

KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei Asia chief desk editorJune 9, 2021 01:02 JST

NEW YORK -- Life on a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, or SSBN, can be dreary. To continue https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/Indo-Pacific-The-front-line-of-US- and-China-next-gen-submarines

GAO’s 2021 Weapon Systems Annual Assessment

June 8, 2021 12:12 PM

The following is the June 8, 2021, Government Accountability Office 2021 report, Weapon Systems Annual Assessment: Updated Program Oversight Approach Needed. From the report

GAO’s 19th annual assessment of the Department of Defense’s (DOD) weapon programs comes at a time of significant internal changes to the department’s acquisition process. Specifically, DOD began implementing its new acquisition framework intended to, among other things, deliver solutions to the end user in a timely manner. However, GAO found that many programs have planned acquisition approaches that, unless properly managed and overseen, could result in cost and schedule challenges similar to those GAO has reported on for nearly the past 2 decades.

DOD’s new acquisition framework allows program managers to use one or more of six acquisition pathways—including the major capability acquisition and middle-tier acquisition (MTA) pathways used by the programs GAO reviewed. Each pathway is governed by separate policies for milestones, cost and schedule goals, and reporting. Program managers can tailor, combine, and transition between pathways based on program goals and risks associated with the weapon system being acquired.

https://news.usni.org/2021/06/08/gaos-2021-weapon-systems-annual-assessment

U.S. Senate committees urge new security steps after Capitol riot Susan Cornwell Two Senate committees assessing security at the U.S. Capitol in light of January's deadly attack recommended giving the Capitol Police chief greater authority on Tuesday and developing plans for rapid response by the Pentagon.

In a statement, U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) welcomed the report and said it had already changed its operations planning to focus on national security, but continued to point to U.S. intelligence failures to warn of the attack.

During the Jan. 6 riot by supporters of then-President Donald Trump, the Pentagon spent hours assessing pleas for help from Capitol Police, the committees found in a bipartisan report. The violence left five dead.

When finally deployed by the Pentagon, D.C. National Guard troops did not arrive at the Capitol until about 5:20 p.m., nearly three hours after they were requested, and by which time the House and Senate chambers had already been declared secure.

The Senate Rules and Homeland Security committees in the report recommended empowering the Capitol Police chief to ask directly for D.C. National Guard help in an emergency. The current procedure requires the chief to get a Capitol Police Board emergency declaration first then Pentagon authorization, though board approval did not happen on Jan. 6.

Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat who chairs the Rules committee, said she and Republican Senator Roy Blunt would introduce legislation to make the change.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-committees-urge-new-security-steps-after-capitol-riot- 2021-06-08/

Blinken says U.S. still probing 'Havana syndrome' attacks on diplomats Humeyra Pamuk The United States is conducting a government-wide review to get to the bottom of who or what caused the suspected "directed" radio frequency attacks that on U.S. diplomats that resulted in various neurological ailments known as "Havana syndrome", U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday.

If Washington would have suspicions that a state actor including Russia or others are involved in this, it would bring it up with them, Blinken said but added that the United States at this point still does not know what or who is causing these incidents.

"We are in the midst, at the President's direction, with the National Security Council in the lead, of coordinating a government-wide review, including the intelligence community, the State Department, the Defense Department, to try to get to the bottom of what caused them, who did it, if anyone did, and of course care for any people who may have been victimized by it," Blinken said.

It was not clear when the review would conclude.

Starting in 2016, dozens of staff in Cuba reported symptoms including hearing loss, ringing ears, vertigo, headaches and fatigue, a pattern consistent with mild traumatic brain injury and initially described as the result of “sonic” or health attacks of some sort. Dozens of U.S. government employees were affected by the incidents, with New York Times reporting last month that the mysterious injuries had afflicted more than 130 people, far more than previously known, and to civil servants in locations such as Europe and elsewhere in Asia, with some episodes having taking place as recently as this year.

In April, the Democratic and Republican leaders of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee said the incidents appeared to be increasing and the committee was investigating. Asked if President Joe Biden would raise the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin in their planned meeting in Geneva next week, Blinken repeated that Washington still did not know the root cause or the perpetrator, if any, of these incidents.

"So certainly if we have concerns, suspicions or beliefs that any state actor, Russia or otherwise was involved ... you can be sure that we will take it to them. But right now, we simply do not know," he said.

On Monday, Senate unanimously passed additional financial support for care of U.S. diplomats who have suffered from these syndromes.

The State Department said in June 2018 it had brought home diplomats from Guangzhou, China, over concern they were suffering similar symptoms.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/blinken-says-us-still-probing-havana-syndrome-attacks-diplomats- 2021-06-08/

Spy phones 'in gangsters' back pockets' betray hundreds to police Colin PackhamToby Sterling A global sting in which organised crime gangs were sold encrypted phones that law enforcement officials could monitor has led to more than 800 arrests and the confiscation of drugs, weapons, cash and luxury cars, officials said on Tuesday.

The operation by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Australian and European police ensnared suspects in Australia, Asia, Europe, South America and the Middle East involved in the narcotics trade, the officials said.

Millions of dollars in cash were seized in raids around the world, along with 30 tonnes of drugs including more than eight tonnes of cocaine.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the operation had "struck a heavy blow against organised crime – not just in this country, but ... around the world".

Operation Greenlight/Trojan Shield, conceived by Australian police and the FBI in 2018, was one of the biggest infiltrations and takeovers of a specialised encrypted network.

It began when U.S. officials paid a convicted drug trafficker to give them access to a smartphone that he had customised, on which he was installing ANOM, also styled An0m, a secure encrypted messaging app. The phones were then sold to organised crime networks through underworld distributors.

The FBI helped to infiltrate 12,000 devices into 300 criminal groups in more than 100 countries, Calvin Shivers of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division told reporters in The Hague.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment of 17 suspected distributors for their involvement in marketing and selling thousands of the ANOM devices to transnational criminal organizations.

All defendants are foreign nationals outside the United States and eight of them were arrested on Tuesday, said Randy Grossman, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California at a press conference in San Diego. The others remain at large.

The indictment accuses the defendants of knowing that the devices they distributed were being used by criminals to coordinate drug trafficking and money laundering, Grossman said.

"Today marks a culmination of more than five years of strategic, innovative, complex investigative work to disrupt and dismantle encrypted communication services that cater to the criminal element across the globe," said Suzanne Turner, special agent in charge of the San Diego FBI field office. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/middle-east/global-crackdown-organised-crime-after-high- tech-us-australia-sting-2021-06-08/

60 Congress members hacked, locked out of databases for weeks The U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. (Dreamstime/TNS)

JUNE 08, 2021 RYAN MORGAN

At least 60 members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, have been unable to access their constituent data for weeks after they were targeted in a recent ransomware attack, reports first revealed Tuesday.

The ransomware attack targeted iConstituent, a tech vendor used by dozens of House offices that enables lawmakers to provide constituent outreach, the Daily Mail reported

. The vendor’s website says it keeps a “database of over 200M constituents and mobile phones” and its Constituent Engagement Platform and

“identify and segment groups of constituents based on their interests, engagements, or concerns.” https://americanmilitarynews.com/2021/06/60-congress-members-hacked-locked-out-of-databases- for-weeks/

Intel says Putin supports ransomware attacks on U.S.; Biden admin. caught flat-footed

By Ryan Lovelace and Guy Taylor - The Washington Times - Monday, June 7, 2021

Organized cybercriminals emboldened by autocrats — most prominently Russian President Vladimir Putin — have caught Washington flat-footed with a rising tide of ransomware and other hacking operations that intelligence sources say have the dual aim of weakening the U.S. economy while gaining geopolitical leverage over Washington on the world stage.

The Biden administration has scrambled to respond in the wake of the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack that nearly crippled gasoline supplies across the Southeast for more than a week. Still, cybersecurity experts are calling on the White House to address the threat for what it is: a state-sponsored campaign that will only get worse until U.S. leadership confronts it.

Leon E. Panetta, a former CIA director and Obama administration defense secretary, criticized the Biden administration’s actions giving cyberattackers the green light to continue intrusions. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/jun/7/us-struggles-meet-rising-ransomware-wave/

Blinken offers few details of rescue plan for Afghan allies after U.S. pullout

By Joseph Clark - The Washington Times - Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Secretary of State Antony Blinken remained largely silent Monday when asked for specifics on plans to evacuate interpreters and other Afghans who supported the U.S. war effort and face deadly retaliation when the troops withdrawal.

At a Capitol Hill hearing, Rep. Michael T. McCaul of Texas pressed Mr. Blinken for details of the plan as the Sept. 11 drawdown deadline approaches, saying he is not confident the U.S. is on track to rescue more than 18,000 Afghans seeking safety in America.

“The military retrograde in Afghanistan could be complete as early as July, according to latest reports,” said Mr. McCaul, the ranking Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee. “And I’ve been told by your senior officials in your department that there’s no way the special immigrant visas can be processed that quickly. So that means that these people have a bull’s-eye and a target on their back from the moment we leave the country.” https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/jun/8/antony-blinken-offers-few-details-of-rescue- plan-f/

Pacific Commanders Want More Money for Biden’s Asia Pivot

MilitaryBy Jack Detsch leaders, Foreign Policy’wants Pentagon to “seize and nationalthe initiative” security reporter. against China.

JUNE 8, 2021, 7:27 AM

The Pentagon’s top military command in the Asia-Pacific region is asking Congress to add nearly a billion dollars to its budget request to strengthen missile defenses, bolster American allies and partners in the region, and to look at more robust forward bases for U.S. troops to prepare for a possible military contingency in the region, according to internal budget documents obtained by Foreign Policy.

In total, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) is asking for almost $890 million to be added to the Biden administration’s $5.1 billion budget request for the Asia-focused command, including $231 million in funding for air and missile defenses at American military installations in Guam–within range of China’s improving rocket and missile forces–and $114 million to improve robust U.S. training ranges in Alaska and Hawaii in order to digitally link up with American forces conducting drills in the Western Pacific, which could someday extend to Washington’s allies in the region.

While the price tag for Indopacom’s request, known as an unfunded priority list, pales in comparison to what the military services put on their wish lists after the Biden administration’s budget drop, it would add back into the budget requests first made by outgoing Indopacom chief Adm. Philip Davidson, who spent his last days publicly pushing for a buildup of American assets west of the International Date Line to deal with a rapid Chinese military movement, such as against Taiwan.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/06/08/biden-pentagon-asia-china/

Biden would slash Pentagon money for pandemic prevention U.S. intelligence agencies and scientists predict that pandemics will become increasingly common President Joe Biden speaks with lawmakers as he exits the House chamber at the end of his address to the joint session of Congress on April 28. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call file photo) By John M. Donnelly Posted June 8, 2021 at 1:00pm leading U.S. government program for preventing, detecting and responding to global diseasePresident outbreaks, Joe Biden a hasmove proposed that even cutting the W by nearly half the Pentagon’s budget for the oppose as the nation continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. hite House’s staunchest allies on Capitol Hill The so-called Biological Threat Reduction Program finds and fights emerging global diseases that can threaten U.S. troops and, ultimately, Pentagon program funded a lab in Thailand that detected in January 2020 the first case of novel coronavirus outside China. the world’s population. In fact, the

or 45 justificationThe Defense documents,Department which wants were the program’s released earlier fiscal 2022 this month. budget to be set at $124 million — percent lower than the current level, according to the Pentagon’s budget The budget documents provide incomplete explanations, at best, for the proposed cut, which has not been previously reported. Administration officials have not yet responded to several requests for an a more complete explanation of the proposed cutback.

https://www.rollcall.com/2021/06/08/biden-would-slash-pentagon-money-for-pandemic-prevention/

Pentagon Faces Tense Fight Over Pacific Pivot The Defense Department is in an internal tug of war over the practicality of putting more U.S. troops in the range of Chinese missiles.

By Jack Detsch, Foreign Policy’s Pentagon and national security reporter.

A U.S. Navy guided missile is anchored during a port visit in Hong Kong on Nov. 21, 2018. ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

JUNE 7, 2021, 2:38 PM

The U.S. Department of Defense is locked in a tense debate over whether to base American troops and high-end weapons within reach of newly capable Chinese missiles, multiple current and former officials with knowledge of the talks told Foreign Policy, a battle pitting the agency’s more risk-averse analytical wing against other parts of the Pentagon and Capitol Hill.

The battle has come to a head after the Pentagon’s budget loaded a fund that lawmakers designed last year to position more U.S. forces near China in the Western Pacific with research and development for , fighter jets, and submarines that could end up outside the region, prompting near-instantaneous anger from Congress, where many insist that the Pentagon isn’t abiding by the law.

“If you wanted to improve force posture west of the international dateline, it would be funded,” said one congressional aide, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss budget deliberations.

The battle dates back to the Trump administration, which first called for forward- deployed U.S. troops to sit in the so-called first island chain that rings China in the Western Pacific, including Japan. The fight came to a head this spring as outgoing U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. Phil Davidson began privately and publicly urging a buildup of American assets in Guam, including onshore Aegis missile defense batteries, in his final days as commander.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/06/07/biden-pivot-china-pentagon/

Pentagon budget 2022: US Navy details construction costs for Ford-class carriers by Michael Fabey

Some construction costs for the next Ford-class ships are increasing as the US Navy (USN) accommodates contract changes and lessons learned from lead ship aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78), according to USN documents released on 28 May to back up the service's fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget request.

Altogether, the USN is requesting about USD2.9 billion for Ford-class construction programmes in FY 2022.

The USN is requesting an additional USD368.4 million in FY 2022 for the carrier John F Kennedy

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/pentagon-budget-2022-us-navy-details- construction-costs-for-ford-class-carriers

Pentagon budget 2022: US Navy adjusts overhaul funding needs for carrier overhauls by Michael Fabey

The US Navy is requesting additional funding in its proposed fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget for its Refueling Complex Overhauls (RCOHs), according to budget proposal documents released on 28 May.

Altogether, the USN is requesting about USD2.5 billion in FY 2022, compared with the USD1.5 billion the service received for RCOH programmes in FY 2021.

FY 2022 is the third of three years of full funding for the USS John C Stennis

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/pentagon-budget-2022-us-navy-adjusts-overhaul- funding-needs-for-carrier-overhauls

Memo reveals US Navy must pick between future destroyer, fighter or sub for FY23 plan By: Megan Eckstein 9 hours ago

WASHINGTON The U.S. Navy may have to pick just one of three major modernization programs on the horizon to fund pursuing a new destroyer, a — new attack submarine or a new fighter jet, the acting Navy secretary warns in a — recent memo. The other two due would be postponed to budget limitations, he wrote. A June 4 memo from acting Navy Secretary Thomas Harker stated that, in line with recently reissued fiscal guidance from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the service should be prepared to fully fund certain top priorities in its fiscal 2023 planning cycle but cut back in other areas. elop the next generation of air, surface, and subsurface platforms and must prioritize these programs, balancing “The Navy cannot afford to simultaneously dev the cost of developing next-generation capabilities against maintaining current budget, the Navy should prioritize one of the following capabilities and re-phase the other capabilities. As part of the [program objective memorandum ‘23] read. two after an assessment of operational, financial and technical risk,” the memo The Navy had planned to upgrade from its Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the future DDG(X); from its Virginia-class submarines into the future SSN(X); and from its F/A-18E/F Super Hornets into a Next Generation Air Dominance platform with all three projects coming to fruition sometime in the next decade. — Each has compelling reasons to continue at pace, making the upcoming risk assessments tricky for the Navy. https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2021/06/08/memo-navy-will-have-to-pick-between-its-future- destroyer-fighter-and-sub-in-fiscal-2023-planning/

SECNAV Memo: New Destroyer, Fighter or Sub: You Can Only Pick One; Cut Nuclear Cruise Missile

By: Mallory Shelbourne and Sam LaGrone

June 8, 2021 3:18 PM Updated: June 8, 2021 7:04 PM

• •

The Navy only has funds to develop follow-ons either the (top) F/A-18E/F

Super Hornet, (middle) Arleigh Burke DDG-51guided-missile destroyer or

(bottom) the Virginia-class submarine (SSN-774). Navy Images

This post has been updated with additional details from the June 4, 2021 memo.

The Navy only has enough money to develop either a new next-generation fighter, destroyer or submarine and will have to pick one platform to invest in, according to a recent memo obtained by USNI News.

In a memo dated June 4, acting Navy Secretary Thomas Harker called on the Navy to choose one of the three programs to initially pursue in earnest in the Program Objective Memorandum 2023 budget cycle. air, surface, and subsurface platforms and must prioritize these programs balancing“The Navy the cannot cost affordof developing to simultaneously next-generation develop capabilities the next g againenerationst of budget, the Navy should prioritize one of the following capabilities and re- phasemaintaining the other current two aftercapabilities,” an assessment the memo of operational, reads. “As part financial, of the andPOM23

technicalhttps://news.usni.org/2021/06/08/secnav-memo-new-destroyer-fighter- risk.” or-sub-you-can-only-pick-one- cut-nuclear-cruise-missile

Deal to buy four amphibious losing steam, as Navy takes another look at future force needs By: Megan Eckstein 6 hours ago WASHINGTON A deal to buy three amphibious transport docks and an amphibious assault ship together in a first-of-its-kind contract appears to be falling apart, as the Navy is not ready to commit– to buying so many amphibious ships before it finishes another future force structure assessment. During a Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee hearing, Sen. Roger Wicker, R- Miss., asked Navy leaders about the status of the proposed multiyear procurement deal for amphibs and why some expected advanced procurement funding for the LPDs was missing from the fiscal 2022 budget request. ] to document a contract structure that could be put in place to implement the four-ship “We have finished negotiating with [Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding a handshake agreement on what that would look like if we were to actually enact that into a procurement that you’re referring to. We just finished that up about a week ago, so we have placecontract,” before acting the authorityNavy acquisition expires chiefat the Jay end Stefany of this said y at the June 8 hearing. “We packaged that up, and we’re sending it to the department leadership for a decision and get that in In the FY21 defense authorization bill, Wicker and otherear.” lawmakers pushed to include authority for the deal. The Navy has so far purchased 15 San Antonio-class LPDs in single- ship contracts, even though it has said repeatedly that multiyear procurement contracts for stable shipbuilding programs are the best way to save money and provide stability to the shipbuilding industrial base. Ingalls Shipbuilding, which builds both the San Antonio-class LPDs and the America- of Mississippi.

class LHAs, is in Wicker’s home state associated“But I’ll just with let you FY23 know, budget the planning. initial indications The analysis we’re will get taketing placefrom thethroughout department the summeris that andthey fall, would making like toit unlikelydefer this the decision” Department until ofthey the complete Navy would a force be ready structure to make assessment a decision before the authority expires at the end of the fiscal year, on Sept. 30. https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2021/06/08/deal-to-buy-four-amphibious-warships-losing- steam-as-navy-takes-another-look-at-future-force-needs/

China Is Sweating: One-Third of U.S. Navy Pacific Submarine Force Is Training for War ByPeter Suciu Multiple submarines departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and joined subs from Bremerton, Washington, and San Diego. During the training exercise, one-third of the Pacific Submarine Force took part to assess warfighting readiness and to build capacity for the joint force.

“The Pacific Submarine Force is always ready,” said commander,ploy Submarine armed submarines Force, U.S. into Pacific Fleet Rear Adm. Jeff Jablon. “Exercise Agile Dagger 2021 allows us to test our capabilities and showcase our warfighters’ ability to rapidly de Thethe Pacific.” Pacific Submarine Force, which compromises fast attack as well as ballistic and guided- missile boats, routinely sends its submarines to sea to test and validate combat response capability. While underway, the submarines regularly conduct combat readiness training and employing undersea warfare capabilities in support of a wide range of missions the U.S. Navy said via a statement. https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/06/china-is-sweating-one-third-of-u-s-navy-pacific-submarine-force- is-training-for-war/undefined

Marine Corps Completes First AH-1Z Flight Test With Link- 16

By Cal Biesecker |

The Marine Corps has successfully demonstrated a two-way connection between the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter and a ground station using the military tactical data link Link-16, Bell Textron and Northrop Grumman [NOC] said on Monday.

https://www.defensedaily.com/marine-corps-completes-first-ah-1z-flight-test-link-16/navy-usmc/

Top U.S. General Kenneth McKenzie Warns of Russia's and China's Influence in Iran By Rebecca Klapper On 6/8/21 at 11:36 AM EDT

General Kenneth McKenzie, head of the U.S. Central Command, gave a briefing in Saudi Arabia on Monday where he warned Iran's activities could lead to instability in the Middle East as U.S. troops withdraw from Afghanistan, The Jerusalem Post reported. The general also cited Russia and China as key players whose influence could affect Iran's actions.

McKenzie said that those two nations have noticed a decline in U.S. "engagement" in the Middle East as troops have withdrawn from Afghanistan and that both are aiming for more influence in the region. China in particular has engaged with the Middle East through a global infrastructure plan known as the Belt and Road Initiative, which was adopted by its government in 2013.

"China engaged with nearly every country in the region in 2020, using exploitative debt traps, the Belt and Road Initiative and medical diplomacy with their vaccine, which has dubious efficacy, to try to expand its influence," McKenzie said.

Russia's influence in the Middle East has increased since it first intervened in Syria in 2015, sending a limited number of ground troops and its air force to aid in the civil war, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace reported.

https://www.newsweek.com/top-us-general-kenneth-mckenzie-warns-russias-chinas-influence-iran- 1598619

In 1996, America and China Nearly Clashed Over Taiwan

The Third Taiwan Crisis was China’s introduction to the power and flexibility of the aircraft carrier. by Kyle Mizokami

Here's What You Need to Know: The crisis was a brutal lesson for a China that had long prepared to fight wars inside of its own borders.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/1996-america-and-china-nearly-clashed-over-taiwan-187138

China says US senators visiting Taiwan on military plane a 'vile provocation' SECTIONS

China says US senators visiting Taiwan on military plane a 'vile provocation' ReutersLast Updated: Jun 09, 2021, 09:34 AM IST China's Defence Ministry on Tuesday denounced a brief weekend visit by three U.S. senators to Chinese-claimed Taiwan on a U.S. military aircraft as a "vile political provocation" that was irresponsible and dangerous.

The three senators, Tammy Duckworth, Dan Sullivan and Christopher Coons, visited Taipei for around three hours on Sunday where they met President Tsai Ing-wen and announced the donation of 750,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses for the island.

Unusually, they travelled on a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III freighter, rather than an unmarked private jet as is generally the case for senior U.S. visitors.

China's Defence Ministry expressed its strong opposition to the trip and use of the military aircraft.

"The U.S. senators visited Taiwan by military plane, using the Taiwan issue to engage in a 'political show', challenging the one-China principle and trying to achieve the so-called goal of 'using Taiwan to control China'", it said.

"This was an extremely vile political provocation".

Beijing says the democratically ruled island is part of "one China" and routinely denounces visits by foreign officials as an interference in the country's internal affairs.

The United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is its strongest international backer and main source of arms, to China's anger.

China believes Tsai is a separatist bent on declaring independence. She says Taiwan is already an independent country called the Republic of China, its official name.

The ministry said the trip damaged the basis of Sino-U.S. ties and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and was "extremely irresponsible and very dangerous".

The United States must immediately stop any kind of official exchanges or military relations with Taiwan, it added.

"If anyone dares to separate Taiwan from China, the Chinese People's Liberation Army will resolutely fight head-on at all costs and resolutely defend the country's unity and territorial integrity". https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/china-says-united-states-senators-visiting- taiwan-on-military-plane-a-vile-provocation/articleshow/83338400.cms

China urges U.S. to sever official, military ties with Taiwan (Xinhua) 10:57, June 08, 2021

BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Monday urged the United States to cut off any form of official exchanges and military contact with China's Taiwan.

"We urge the United States to abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques and appropriately handle Taiwan-related issues," said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. Ma was commenting on the recent visit of three U.S. senators to Taiwan.

In the face of a worsening COVID-19 epidemic, Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority has ignored the health and safety of people in Taiwan and stirred up trouble across the Taiwan Strait, Ma said.

The DPP authority's indifference to Taiwan people's lives and wellbeing and its shameless political manipulation have again exposed its nature of seeking "Taiwan independence," he added. http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0608/c90000-9858846.html

China Looks to Increase Its Nuclear Arsenal The is back, with a different adversary. by FRANCIS P. SEMPA June 6, 2021, 11:51 PM

On May 27, 2021, the Global Times, an English-language mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), featured an article by Hu Xijin, the editor-in-chief of the paper, intense a large number of Dongfeng-41,calling for an increaseand JL-2 inand China’s JL-3 (both nuclear intercontinental-range arsenal. “We must be submarine-launched prepared for an ballistic showdown between China and the US,” Hu wrote. “In that scenario, uclear warheads must reach the quantity that makes US elites shiver should they entertain the idea of missile) will form the pillar of our strategic will. The number of China’s n

Theengaging next day,in a militaryZhang Hui, confrontation a reporter for with the China.” Global Times, wrote that CCP military experts had sea-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, and including the DF- advancedrecommended nuclear missile. an increase in the number of China’s nuclear weapons, especially its 41 ICBM, China’s most r weapons, especially submarine-launched ballistic missiles, to effectively safeguard its national security, sovereignty“China needs and to increasedevelopment the quantity interests, and Song quality Zhongping, of nuclea a Chinese military expert and TV Zhang. commentator, told the Global Times on Friday,” according to CCP claims is part of China. Zhang writes that the call for more nuclear weapons is in part a The inclusion of “sovereignty” in Song’s statement undoubtedlypressure refers onto Taiwan,China, sending which the warships and warplanes at an increasing frequency to the South China Sea and Taiwan response to the fact that “the US has applied greater military

Straits.” - launched ballistic missile (SLBM) to Zhang further noted that Song said that “China could use its most advanced submarine effectively counter the US threat.” reject U.S. efforts to enlist their nations in plans to contain China. Those countries should Zhang’s article also issued warnings to India, South Korea, and Australia that they should recognize, Zhang wrote,https://spectator.org/china-nuclear-arsenal-threatens-taiwan/ that the “flames of war would eventually burn themselves.”

How China Steals US Tech to Catch Up in Underwater Warfare an illuminating trail. From legal filings to a Chinese lab’s website, open source documents provide By MA XIU and PETER W. SINGER

JUNE 8, 2021 06:00 AM ET

CHINA

TECHNOLOGY

FOREIGN POLICY

NAVY

In late April, Massachusetts-based businessman Qin Shuren became the latest person to plead guilty in the Justice Department’s crackdown on the illegal export of strategic technologies. Qin’s company, LinkOcean Technologies, falsified documentation to send a Chinese military-affiliated university some $100,000 worth of equipment, including hydrophones, sonobuoys, side-scan sonars, and even an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). The case is just one part of a long trail of open-source evidence that illustrates a larger issue: U.S. technology being used to advance Chinese military ends.

The trail begins with the Justice Department’s press release, which says that Mr. Qin was working at the direction of Northwestern Polytechnical University, in the northwest Chinese city of Xi’an. NWPU is one of the “Seven Sons of National Defense,” a group of universities known for particularly close ties to the People’s Liberation Army and which contribute a high proportion of China’s defense workforce and research. For two decades, NWPU has been on the U.S. Department of Commerce Entity List, the group of foreign organizations and individuals to which the export of certain U.S. strategic technologies is restricted.

While the available court documents do not go into further specifics, several of NWPU’s defense labs work on areas related to Qin’s case. The Key Lab for Underwater Information and Control conducts a wide range of strategic underwater research into sensing, acoustics, information processing, navigation, and communications for underwater vehicles, including submarines and AUVs. Along with its smaller sister, the National Lab of Acoustic Engineering and Testing Technology, it manages the Unmanned Navigation Technology Research Center in the eastern coastal city of Ningbo. This center researches propulsion, navigation, and acoustics for unmanned underwater vehicles, the kind of research that needs the hydrophones, sonobuoys, sonars, and AUVs that Qin pled guilty to illegally procuring.

The court documents describe Qin’s co-conspirator at NWPU as a professor and maritime information processing expert named Yang. Notably, the Key Lab is directed by Yang Yixin, who researches maritime information processing.

https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2021/06/how-china-steals-us-tech-catch-underwater- warfare/174558/

First Sighting Of New Stealth Fighter For

The Chinese Navy is massively expanding its fleet, with at least three Chineseaircraft carriers Navy’s at its vanguard. Aircraft Yet these Carriers lack low-observable fighters. But that is expected to change. A new image offers the first look at the new stealthy fighter.

H I Sutton 08 Jun 2021

Overshadowed by the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter, the Shenyang FC- dark horse. The J-20 has already entered service with the Chinese Air Force (PLAAF) and is, broadly, their equivalent of the F-22 Raptor. The FC-31 meanwhile is 31seen may as bea cheaper the China’s and less capable alternative. And significantly it was a private project by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation so does not get the same level of government support. Yet while the early focus was on potential exports, it now seems that the FC-31 could be a step-change for the Chinese Navy (PLAN). There are strong indications that the FC-31, not the J-20, will be the next carrier-based fighter. The FC-31 is a medium-sized fighter, generally in the same class as the FA-18E Super Hornet and F-35 Lightning-II. And the French Dassault Rafale, or the MiG-29K Fulcrum carried aboard Indian carriers. In generational terms it is closest to the F-35 and is often compared to it. Its layout resembles a mix of F-35 and F-22 Raptor features. The airframe complies with the new norms of stealthy aircraft design. Carefully aligned angles, a mix of sharp chines and blended surfaces, and sawtooth edges to panels. Over the course of its development, since its first flight in 2013. Three prototypes have flown with the latest, in 2020, being considered closer to a production aircraft. A internal weapons bay spans the lower fuselage a lot like the F-22. This can carry the PL- 15 medium range air-air missile. Like the F-35, additional weapons can be carried in -section so they are not normally seen. underwing hardpoints. These will increase the aircraft’s radar cross The reason that we are now talking more confidently about the prospect of an FC-31 carrier fighter is because of a concrete aircraft carrier. The fake carrier is seen as a leading indicator of future equipment. A full-size model of a stealth plane has appeared on the concrete carrier in recent weeks. Based on the available photo, Naval News believes that this represents an FC-31 variant. The concrete carrier, a full-sized mock-up of a real Chinese Navy aircraft carrier, was built at Wuhan over 10 years ago. It is a serious development and evaluation site, used to test the most basic design features. Building aircraft carriers, even in China, is incredibly expensive. Such a monumental national investment needs to be de-risked. One of the most embarrassing mistakes, which could easily be made in any country, would be to build something which looks great on paper but is impractical in reality. Small things like the visibility from the island, the parking areas on deck or the way aircraft are moved. https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/06/first-sighting-of-new-stealth-fighter-for-chinese- navy-aircraft-carrier/

IFVs and landing ship in coordination training (China Military Online) 14:20, June 08, 2021

An amphibious armored infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) attached to a brigade under the PLA 73th Group Army steers off the well dock of a landing ship during the coordination training aiming to hone the troops' combat capabilities in maritime operations on May 26, 2021. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Lin Jiayu)

http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0608/c90000-9858952.html

Singapore, China defence ministers reaffirm longstanding ties, cooperation Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (left) and Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense General Wei Fenghe conducted a Singapore-China Defence Ministers’ video conference on June 8, 2021.PHOTOS: MINDEF

Justin Ong

Political Correspondent

SINGAPORE - Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe had a video conference on Tuesday (June 8), reaffirming the longstanding, warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between the two countries that has deepened and grown over the years, said the Ministry of Defence.

During the meeting, the ministers acknowledged that Singapore and China had marked their 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2020 with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force aerobatics team Ba Yi performing at the Singapore Airshow for the first time.

Both countries have also continued regular interactions despite the ongoing Covid-19 situation, said Mindef in its statement.

These include numerous bilateral and multilateral exercises, high-level visits, professional exchanges, port calls, and attendance of courses and seminars.

Dr Ng and General Wei, who is Chinese State Councillor and Minister of National Defence, also talked about regional security developments and how their militaries had supported the fight against the global pandemic.

They discussed practical ways to strengthen Asean-China defence cooperation and the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM)-Plus framework.

ADMM-Plus involves the 10 Asean members and eight dialogue partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the United States.

Posting on Facebook after the meeting, Dr Ng said he had extensive and comprehensive discussions with Gen Wei, who was "very kind" to provide updates on China's domestic situation as well as regional and international affairs.

Mindef said Dr Ng also thanked Gen Wei for strongly supporting the Shangri-La Dialogue - even though the annual security summit was called off this year for pandemic reasons - and invited him to visit Singapore when circumstances in the region improve. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-china-defence-ministers-reaffirm-longstanding-ties- cooperation

Around two dozen Chinese fighter jets carried out exercise opposite Eastern Ladakh as India watched closely

With India and China engaged in a military standoff for more than a year now, the Chinese Air Force recently carried out a big aerial exercise from its airbases opposite Eastern Ladakh which was watched closely by the Indian side.

"Around 21-22 of Chinese fighter aircraft mainly including the J-11s which are the Chinese copy of the Su-27 fighters and a few J-16 fighters held an exercise opposite the Indian territory in Eastern Ladakh," defence sources told ANI.

The exercise, wh ..

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/around-two-dozen-chinese- fighter-jets-carried-out-exercise-opposite-eastern-ladakh-as-india-watched- closely/articleshow/83334766.cms

Taiwan testing ship- -range, air-defence system by J Michael Cole borne ‘Sea Oryx' short

Images have emerged online showing the 's (RoCN') Kaohsiung (LCC-1) command ship (ex-USS Dukes County) being used to test the locally developed, -range, air-defence (SHORAD) system.

Theshipborne images, ‘Sea which Oryx' emerged short in early June, show that the system Taiwan's version of the Raytheon RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile system has been located on the stern of the ship, which is often used by the RoCN and the National Chung-Shan– Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) as a test platform for indigenous– radar and missile systems.

Taiwan also seems to be using the ship to trial an indigenous air-search active electronically scanned array radar system located midships but this is unrelated to the

– – ‘Sea Oryx' system. has now entered the sea testing phase. The photographs indicate that after six years of research and development, the ‘Sea Oryx'

Technology Exhibition (TADTE). It incorporates an upgraded naval variant of the Tien The ‘Sea Oryx' SHORAD system was-to first-air missileunveiled used at the by 2015the RoC Ta ipeiAir Force. Aerospace The missile & Defense design has undergone a number of modifications in recent years, including the addition of fourChien fins I (‘Sky to the Sword original 1') guidedfour for air more stabilisation after launch.

The missile has a maximum effective range of 9 km and can reach a maximum altitude of 3 km. T -axis launcher providing rapid engagement of a number of targets. he ‘Sea Oryx' is deployed from a pivoting multi https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/taiwan-testing-ship-borne-sea-oryx- short-range-air-defence-system

Air Force suicide exposes culture of glossing over sex crimes

By Choi Si-young

Published : Jun 8, 2021 - 17:21 Updated : Jun 9, 2021 - 13:44 The suicide of an Air Force master sergeant who said she was a victim of sexual violence will be one of many similar stories to come, as long as the military leaves unchecked a culture prone to glossing over sexual abuse, experts said Tuesday.

The sergeant, who reported to the military on March 2 that she had been sexually assaulted by a fellow master sergeant who was senior to her, was found dead May 22. Her family, who petitioned the presidential office to look into the matter, said the military sat on the case until it made headlines.

line or everyone “Victims can take their complaint up the chain of command.-woo, We a have senior a system analyst in at theplace Korea just forDefense that. Butand that Security didn’t Forum. work because someone on the except the victim had not done their part,” said Shin Jong The military is accused of not abiding by the rules it set up to tackle sexual violence.

The military allegedly tried to silence the victim and her husband, also in the military, and appointed an underqualified public defender for her. The lawyer, who had been in the role for about a year as an officer, did not meet her even once. He said coronavirus precautions had prevented a meeting.

“The military still has a pattern of playing down sex crimes, which makes every Accordingprevention to system a local useless,” report citing Shin thesaid. latest military survey, 51 percent of service members out of roughly 1,500 personnel stationed at major commands said service

Forty-onemembers shouldpercent “look of the out respondents for themselves” said sexto prevent crimes insex the crimes. military had nothing to with others, but with the perpetrator alone.

A recently retired female officer said the culture that played down sexual abuse had changed significantly in recent years, but that she was uncertain whether it had been completely eradicated within the military. She said seeking redress was still easier said than done for victims of sexual violence.

-- who can be held “Victimsresponsible were for still misconduct in some ways by their pressured subordinates to let it -- slide avoid unless making that’s a big something deal out of reallyevents huge that couldlike rape,” derail she a promotion. said, adding that commanders

Last week, President Moon Jae-in ordered the military to expand the investigation and look into the chain of command to find out what went wrong, prompting lawmakers to roll out reforms that could boost civilian control over the armed forces handling these cases.

Lawmakers have suggested cases should be tried at civilian appellate courts, instead of military appeal courts. The Supreme Court will still deliver the final rulings. But some say the proposals will do little to address the sex crime cover-ups that led to the suicide.

sa“Trialsid Yang are Uk, not an the adjunct problem. professor An initial of nationalinvestigation defense went strategy sideways at Hannam because the University.military had not responded to the complaint like it should have in the first place,”

That would be the case for next time as long as the military keeps trivializing sex abuse allegations, he added.

Also on Tuesday, the Ministry of National Defense said it will run a thorough investigation but declined to confirm whether the defense minister himself would

Butbe sought last week, for questioning. the Air Force He chief was who briefed briefed two himweeks said ago he on had the decided victim’s to death. step down amid reports that the Air Force did not report to the ministry as to what could have led to the suicide, in violation of rules that anything helpful to understand the death be cited in the report. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210608000998 Thousands More Flee Clashes Between Myanmar Militias and Military, Ethnic Armies in June

Fresh fighting in the country’s remote regions is exacerbating an already dire refugee situation.

2021-06-07 villagers since the beginning of the month, sources said Monday, as clashes between Fightingmilitary troops,in Myanmar’s militia Chin,groups, Sagaing, and ethnic and Shan armies region contsinues has displaced to intensify thousands amid the of turmoil new of a junta coup in February. along the Hakha- cuated since AJune source 1, when told soldiersRFA’s Myanmar hunting Servicefor members that nearly of the 6,0 Chinla00 residentsnd Defense from Force seven (CDF) villages militia began threateningMatupi residents. Road in Chin state’s Hakha township have been eva

dition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. “Hakha is about nine miles away and the military wanted to clear the entire route in the area,” said the source, speaking on con The villagers fled to safety before

“More than 100 troops are looking for CDF members. they arrived.” the second largest in Southeast Asia Arifles network their offorefathers volunteers used formed to fight in April, off British the CDF coloni arezers taki ngin theon Myanmar’s1880s. The army—CDF said it had killed some 100 junta troops—with between slingshots March and and May the .same crude flintlock “Tumee”

Following the Feb. 1 coup, most Chins joined compatriots across Myanmar in daily street protests, only to be met by deadly military violence that has killed more than 850 civilians nationwide. In the three months to May 1 alone, 28 civilians in Chin state were killed and more than 200 were arrested, according to the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO).

The CHRO estimates that some 40,000 civilians have fled their homes in Chin state since May.

Fighters of the CDF were engaged in daily battles from May 12 until May 15, when the junta occupied the town of Mindat with 1,000 fully armed troops who used civilians as human shields and sprayed gunfire indiscriminately, the CHRO said recently. The CDF pulled out May 16 to protect civilians from further artillery attacks and fire from helicopter gunships, one Chin fighter said.

But a CDF source told RFA that over the past five days, fighting had resumed in Mindat, leaving three militiamen killed and seven others injured. “Arefugees military jet came by and dropped four bombs and then there was artillery fired from the Kyaukhtu township area,” he said. “Motorcycles and other things left behind by the https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/refugees-06072021194357.htmlwere torched.”

Kick-starting a new strategic and defence partnership with Bangladesh 8 Jun 2021|David Brewster

also where our security relationships Australia’sare the least 2020 developed. defence A strategic new report update published identifies by thethe Nationalnortheast Security Indian OceanCollege as examines a priority area as part of our immediate region, but it’s Bangladesh. Australia’s interests in that region and options for enhanced security relations with For at least a decade, Australia has rightly concentrated on India as its key South Asian partner, but it is now time to broaden that strategy to include other countries in that region. Enhanced security, political and economic relations with Bangladesh should be part of that. Despite being one of the first countries to recognise an independent Bangladesh, Australia has not properly developed the relationship.

Improved connections with Bangladesh would also be part of a developing web of relationships with existing and emerging middle powers across the Indo-Pacific. These can supplement relationships with major powers and, potentially, also help mitigate some of the impacts of major power competition.

Australia has significant strategic equities in Bangladesh, reflecting economic opportunities and potential threats emanating from the northeast Indian Ocean.

Bangladesh is one of the big economic success stories in Asia. Over the past several decades, Bangladesh has grown from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle- income country. In the years prior to the Covid-19 crisis, its economic growth averaged a key trading partner for Australia. around 7% to 8% per annum. It could well become one of Asia’s new economic ‘tigers’ and development while balancing external pressures. Bangladesh is located at the fulcrum of theIt’s inBay our of interestsBengal, between to support India a stable and China, and independent and is the subject Bangladesh of growing as it pursues strategic competition between them. Recent threats by the Chinese ambassador if Bangladesh dared to develop relations with the Quad will likely be shrugged off by Dhaka. Indeed, such bullying may only further highlight the value for Dhaka of building partnerships with relationships. countries like Australia and Japan that can add further ballast to Bangladesh’s regional Australia also has other security interests in the region, including in managing risks of climate change, people and drug smuggling and violent extremism, all of which could have a significant impact on Australia. The ethnic cleansing of Rohingya people from Myanmar has resulted in more than 1 million refugees in Bangladeshi camps, creating risks from unregulated population movements and violent extremism.

Climate change, including sea-level rise and severe weather events, may also have a major impact on Bangladesh in coming years, potentially triggering large-scale population movements and regional instability.

Extended civil unrest in Myanmar also creates risks of a surge in drug smuggling or refugee methamphetamines, and a breakdown in order could flood those drugs onto the Australian movements.market. Myanmar is already Australia’s largest source of opium and now

Australia may increasingly need Bangladesh as a regional partner to help address these threats. But our security relationship is very thin. Official military visits are rare and there is no resident defence representative. But Bangladesh has recently flagged its interest in developing closer security relations as part of a more comprehensive relationship with Australia.

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/kick-starting-a-new-strategic-and-defence- partnership-with-bangladesh/

Russia is building its first full stealth naval ship: State media Russia is building its first full stealth naval ship: State media ReutersLast Updated: Jun 08, 2021, 04:07 PM IST Russia is building its first naval ship that will be fully equipped with stealth technology to make it hard to detect, the RIA state news agency reported on Tuesday.

The hull of the Mercury naval dubbed project 20386 has already been built and the vessel is expected to be delivered to the navy next year, RIA reported, citing two unnamed sources in the shipbuilding industry.

The will be armed with cruise missiles, anti-aircraft missiles and artillery, as well as being capable of searching for and destroying submarines, RIA said.

Russia has invested heavily in its navy in recent years, part of a push by President Vladimir Putin to revamp the military that has been complicated by Western sanctions.

Political ties with the West are at their worst since the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/russia-is-building-its-first-full- stealth-naval-ship-state-media/articleshow/83336559.cms

Is the Future of Drone Swarms That Can Wipe Out Submarines?

Swarms of cheap drones both above and below the water (unmanned underwater vehicles, or UUVs) may pose the biggest and most proximate threat to submarines. by Sebastien Roblin

Here's What You Need To Remember: Drones offer a lot of interesting possibilities for how warfare might change. However, they aren't yet able to displace traditional systems.

After a post-Cold War hiatus, across the planet are pursuing new anti-submarine capabilities as a submarine arms race accelerates in the Pacific Ocean. Developing technologies like quantum magnetometers and satellite-based optical sensors are leading to forecasts that submarines may be on the verge of losing their stealthy edge by the mid-twenty-first century.

But swarms of cheap drones both above and below the water (unmanned underwater vehicles, or UUVs) may pose the biggest and most proximate threat to submarines.

Swarming drones are distinct from larger, higher capability (and more expensive) long-range autonomous unmanned vehicles like the Large-Diameter HSU-001 submarine, recently displayed by China, or the Extra-Large Displacement Orca being built for the U.S. Navy.

Swarming systems, by contrast, are small, lightweight, cheap, numerous—and networked together to cooperate like bees from the same hive. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/future-naval-warfare-drone-swarms-can-wipe- out-submarines-187066 Sophisticated Cyber Attacks Could Trigger Collective Response

By: John Grady

June 8, 2021 11:25 AM sophisticated cyber attacks on its members could trigger an alliance Inresponse. a warning to adversaries, NATO’s secretary general said increasingly

Stoltenberg said Monday at The Atlantic Council. Several years ago, the allianceThe alliance agreed treats cyber cyber attacks “as an needed operational to be regarded military domain,”in the same Jen lights as a military land, air or sea assault on a member and could set off a collective response based on Article 5 response.

As an NATO’s neighborsexample and aggressiveof more frequent military intrusions behavior in in other Ukraine. nations’ He specifically affairs, he mentionednoted Russia’s Russia-based “meddling malware in domestic attacks elections” through and Solar cyber Wind attacks and onon its

Germany’s parliament. alliance, he said. Moscow’s “pattern of aggressive actions” remains a “great concern” to the Stoltenberg added NATO military exercises now include cyber warfare scenarios. He noted the alliance established a cyber domain center in Estonia to monitor attacks and also to share best practices with alliance

members.https://news.usni.org/2021/06/08/natos-stoltenberg-sophisticated-cyber-attacks- “NATO allies can help each other,” Stoltenberg said. could-trigger-collective-response

If It Ain’t Broke, When Do We Fix It? By Lieutenant (j.g.) Ben Rosenzweig, U.S. Navy Reserve

June 2021 In recent years, the Navy has shifted from primarily time-directed maintenance to condition-based maintenance (CBM). There are sound fiscal reasons for this; replacing parts only when they are about to fail clearly saves money. This “lean” philosophy has proved highly effective in profit-driven industrial production, where saving money is another way to make money. The Navy, by contrast, has two competing goals: to save taxpayer dollars and to maintain a capable, mission-ready fighting force. CBM certainly has saved dollars. It also has had the unintended side effect of compromising mission readiness. In a 2017 speech, then–Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, Vice Admiral Thomas Moore used the example of tank maintenance to illustrate the problem: I have enough data to know that when this type of ship comes in for this type of availability and the age of the ship is this, I statistically know I’m probably going to have to go work on X number of tanks. Today, what I do is I say, go inspect the tanks, and then I go open them up, and I find, oh, I’ve got to go work on them. That means the shipbuilder has to go get material and do the engineering work and I start the work late. . . . [Instead,] you know there’s going to be probably 25 tanks, so buy the material up front, do the engineering, load those resources into your plan, and then if you get in there and it’s not 25 tanks, it’s 20, okay, fine.1 In other words, CBM has become focused on monitoring the condition of each individual part. A recent Government Accountability Office report found that, between 2015 and 2019, 75 percent of carrier and submarine maintenance periods were completed late, an average of 113 days late for carriers and 225 days late for subs.2 While CBM is not entirely to blame, better outcomes can be achieved by leveraging historical data to make statistical, rather than exact, maintenance decisions. This will lead to a more efficient use of labor and inventory by enabling work packages to be developed long before the scheduled availability. Combining data and statistics to save both time and money is precisely the hope held out by predictive maintenance (PM). A PM algorithm uses prior knowledge about a component type and the performance history of each individual component of that type to deliver (at minimum) a prediction such as: Component X has a 40 percent probability of failure within 95 operating hours.3 If the failure probability exceeds a predetermined threshold, the component is replaced. A prediction also can include a confidence score (90 percent confident that component X has a 35-45 percent probability of failure), which reflects the strength of the model’s prediction given the quality of input data. When combined with labor and material costs, this can be used to decide—in Admiral Moore’s example—which tanks to inspect and the proper resources to put on order.

https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2021/june/if-it-aint-broke-when-do-we- fix-it

Duterte to get 2nd Sinopharm dose bySamuel Medenilla June 9, 2021 Duterte is shown in this publicly released photo getting his Sinopharm vaccine. President Rodrigo R. Duterte is set to get his second shot of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by China’s state-owned pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm.

This, after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Monday that it issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the 1,000 doses of Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines that were donated by the Chinese government.

Some of Sinopharm vaccines were used for the inoculation of members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), as well as Duterte, who got his first Sinopharm jab last month.

In an online press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government will now be using the remaining donated doses.

One of the said doses will be used for the second jab of Duterte.

He noted Duterte chose not to get his second until FDA issues an EUA for Sinopharm’s Covid-19 vaccine.

The EUA is an assurance from the FDA that a vaccine is effective and safe to use

Duterte had ordered the return of the remainder of the 1,000 Sinopharm jabs to the Chinese government after he was criticized for using the vaccine, when it still lacked an EUA from FDA.

The government did not return the Sinopharm doses and instead let the Department of Health (DOH) apply for the necessary EUA so it could be used locally.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/06/09/duterte-to-get-2nd-sinopharm-vaccine- dose/ Vaccination rate to “rebound” with deliveries of 10M jabs in June

By Lade Jean Kabagani June 8, 2021, 7:33 pm

IATF-EID MEETING. Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. gives updates on the country’s vaccination program during the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City on Monday (June 7, 2021). Galvez said the delayed delivery of Covid-19 vaccines in the fourth week of May and the first week of June has slowed down the country’s vaccination average rate. (Presidential photo by Joey Dalumpines)

MANILA – The country's vaccination average rate has notably decreased due to lack of delivery of Covid-19 vaccines particularly on the last week of May and the first week of June, National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said.

"Bumaba po ang ating average vaccination considering that 'yong ating delivery po noong last week ng May at saka po 'yong first week of June ay naantala po (Our average [rate] in the vaccination [drive] went down, considering that our deliveries for the last week of May up to the first week of June were delayed),” Galvez said during the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City on Monday night.

Galvez, also the vaccine czar, said the country's seven-day moving average of the vaccination program has reduced "due to lack of supply."

He, however, said the declined rate is "expected to rebound” with impending deliveries of 10 million vaccines this month. "So nagkaroon lang po ng delivery this June 6, kahapon lang po (We just had a delivery this June 6, it was just yesterday). But the good news is that the COVAX and GAVI remained focus and committed to inoculate at least 30 percent of the global populace," he said.

The Philippines is set to receive 4.2 million doses of Pfizer vaccines this month, he added.

Galvez said the supply agreement between the government and Pfizer BioNTech company is soon to be finalized for the deliveries of 40 million doses.

"Pfizer will deliver more or less 15 million doses in the third quarter and the remaining will be in the fourth quarter. That would be a huge help for us," Galvez said.

Some 100,000 doses of Russian-made Sputnik V vaccines produced by the Gamaleya Research Institute are set to arrive on June 10.

After receiving one million doses of Sinovac’s CoronVac vaccine last Sunday, the country is set to get two million more CoronaVac vaccines that will arrive on June 10 (one million) and on June 17 (one million).

"We are requesting na sa June 17 dagdagan po ng another one million or 500,000 para at least mapagamit po sa ating mga A4 at saka mga sa business sector (We are requesting for additional one million or 500,000 doses on June 17 so at least we can use the jabs for our A4 priority group and our business sector)," Galvez said.

The remaining 2.5 million doses of Sinovac vaccines will be delivered "on the fourth week or the last week of June,” he added.

The World Health Organization (WHO)-led COVAX facility will also give 2.28 million doses of Pfizer vaccines while Moderna will deliver some 250,000 doses on June 21.

The COVAX facility will also deliver 2,028,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine within the third or fourth week of this month.

Galvez said he is hoping that all 11,058,000 doses of Covid-19 jabs will be delivered as scheduled within this month.

Steady vaccine delivery is expected beginning June 21, he said, including the deliveries of 1,170,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines procured by the private sector.

The government is eyeing about 17 million doses of jabs in the stockpile in August. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1143020

FDA OKs Pfizer’s EUA for 12-15 age group

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor June 8, 2021, 2:59 pm

(Anadolu photo)

MANILA – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the amendment to the emergency use authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine for individuals 12 to 15 years old, a health official confirmed Tuesday.

In a Viber message to reporters, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the Department of Health welcomes the approval of more vaccines for children and adolescents.

On May 28, the FDA revised the EUA granted to the American-made Covid-19 vaccine to reflect the “inclusion of individuals 12 years of age and older in its indication for active immunization for the prevention of Covid-19".

In January, the FDA granted an EUA clearing the vaccine for use of individuals 16 years old and above only.

“Due to limited vaccine supply, our vaccination strategy remains the same -- prioritize the vulnerable and adhere to our prioritization framework,” Vergeire said. “The general consensus of our vaccine experts is to revisit pediatric and adolescent vaccination once our vaccine supply has stabilized".

She also emphasized the government's vaccine cluster, through National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez, would secure the doses necessary “to vaccinate all eligible population for free”.

As of Sunday, the NTF reported that a total of 5,965,651 doses have already been administered. Of this, 4,421,319 are first doses and 1,544,332 are second doses. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1142963

US senator urges Biden to 'commit' 5 million COVID vaccines to 'ally' PH

Published June 8, 2021, 11:17 AM by Roy Mabasa ADVERTISEMENT United States Senate Majority Leader Charles “Chuck” Schumer (D-NY) has asked US President Joe Biden to commit 5 million doses of coronavirus vaccine to the Philippines, citing, among others, the “immeasurable contributions” of Filipino-American frontline healthcare workers in the battle against the pandemic.

Schumer made this call in a June 1, 2021 letter to Biden following the White House announcement that the Philippines will be among the countries to receive its share from the initial batch of 25 million vaccine doses that the US will be sending globally through the COVAX facility.

On May 31, 2021, the Biden administration announced that the United States will release a total of 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to support the global vaccination program that is key to ending the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, the White House revised its commitment by adding 20 million more doses that will include American-made vaccines Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson jabs, bringing the total to 80 million vaccine doses.

“I urge you to commit at least 5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the Republic of the Philippines as part of the United States’ commitment to send 80 million of such doses to foreign nations over the next several months. The United States has a long, intertwined history with the Philippines, the nation is a key American ally, and Filipino Americans have made immeasurable contributions to New York and to American society – not the least of which includes selfless and professional efforts as frontline healthcare workers throughout Covid-19,” Schumer said in his letter to the US president.

Citing government data, Schumer said nearly a third of the nurses who’ve died of COVID- 19 in the US are Filipino, even though Filipino nurses make up just 4% of the nursing population nationwide.

“The U.S. can honor the service and sacrifice of these heroes by providing the urgently needed 5 million life-saving doses as quickly as possible,” he said.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/08/us-senator-urges-biden-to-commit-5-million-covid- vaccines-to-ally-ph/ WHO studying evidence of coronavirus antibodies found in Italy dating back to late 2019 (Xinhua) 16:17, June 08, 2021

A woman wearing a face mask walks past the Pantheon in Rome, Italy, April 21, 2021. (Xinhua/Cheng Tingting) The findings from Italy are important because they "help create a more accurate picture" of the virus' evolution, which will both help confront the current pandemic and respond to a future pandemic more effectively, said a professor of public health at the University of Siena.

ROME, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) is evaluating evidence from Italy that the coronavirus or a similar virus may have been circulating in Italy months earlier than generally believed, a researcher told Xinhua on Monday.

Italy's National Cancer Institute (INT) reported in November last year that it found evidence of coronavirus antibodies in the blood of four Italian cancer test subjects in early October 2019, meaning they would have been infected by the virus in September, three months before China reported its first case of COVID-19, and five months before the first confirmed case in Italy.

Emanuele Montomoli, co-author of the original study and a professor of public health at the University of Siena, said the WHO was informed of the study's findings soon after they were revealed. Soon after, researchers sent 30 biological samples -- all from the period between October and December in 2019 before the coronavirus was widely known -- to Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands which was selected by the WHO for further testing, according to Montomoli.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0608/c90000-9859028.html

US and EU to back investigation into origins of coronavirus

• The US is among several countries that have called on China to be more transparent with its data amid ongoing questions over how the outbreak started • A World Health Organization report earlier this year said the most likely origin was natural, but it has also called for further studies

Bloomberg

The United States and the European Union are set to back a renewed push into investigating the origins of Covid-19 after conflicting assessments about where the outbreak started, according to a document seen by Bloomberg News.

In a draft statement the countries hope to adopt at a summit later this month, they “call for progress on a transparent, evidence-based, and expert-led WHO-convened phase 2 study on the origins of Covid-19, that is free from interference”.

The US is among several countries that have called on China to be more transparent with its data and allow greater access, amid ongoing questions over whether the outbreak was caused by a laboratory accident, was transmitted from wildlife or caused by something else.

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3136559/united- states-and-european-union-back-investigation

Singapore coronavirus sequencing shows delta variant, first found in India, is major local strain

• Singapore is one of the only places to sequence all its coronavirus cases, which has provided data on how the variant spreads more rapidly • On Tuesday, the city state only found four locally transmitted coronavirus infections, of which three were untraceable

Topic | Coronavirus pandemic

Bloomberg

A health care worker wearing personal protective equipment walks past a mandatory Covid-19 test site at a housing block in Singapore, amid a rise in new and unlinked infections. Photo: Bloomberg

Covid-19sequencing in Singaporehas revealed the emergence of the delta variant as the country’s major local virus strain, underscoring the highly infectious nature of the mutation that has proliferated globally since its first detection in India.

Of these cases to date, 449 have been found to be caused by variants of concern, among which 428 were infections of the delta strain, said the country’s health ministry. The next largest group was nine cases linked to the beta mutation that first emerged in South Africa.

The “current understanding” is that some variants, including the delta mutation, “are more transmissible”, a spokesperson for Singapore’s health ministry said on Tuesday.

“Studies are ongoing to get a more complete understanding of these variants and we will adjust our strategies as more information is made available.”

https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3136546/singapore-covid-19- sequencing-shows-delta-variant-first

India's daily COVID-19 cases dip below 100,000 for first time in 2 months

A worker cleans an item inside a store at a market area after authorities eased lockdown restrictions that were imposed to slow down the spread of COVID-19 in New Delhi, India, on Jun 7, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Adnan Abidi) 08 Jun 2021 05:29PM NEW DELHI: India's daily coronavirus infections have dipped below 100,000 for the first time in more than two months, as an overall downturn prompted some states to ease restrictions.

Tuesday (Jun 8), second only to the United States, which has more than 33 million. The 86,498 cases added in the past 24 hours pushed India’s total past 29 million on The health ministry also reported 2,123 new fatalities in the past 24 hours, raising the overall death toll to 351,309.

India peaked at adding more than 400,000 cases a day in May, but new infections and deaths have declined across the country since then.

The downturn has led some states to ease restrictions on commercial activities to spur consumption. Multiple states have, however, extended lockdowns and have been reluctant to reopen.

Meanwhile, the federal government has said it will take over vaccine procurement from the states and ensure vaccines are provided free of cost to every adult Indian.

per cent of the population is fully vaccinated. India’s vaccination drive has been marred by delays and shortages. Less than 5 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/india-daily-covid-19-cases-below-100- 000-first-time-two-months-14971322

China to offer COVID-19 vaccine to children as young as 3

08 Jun 2021 04:38PM (Updated: 08 Jun 2021 04:55PM) BEIJING: China has approved the emergency use of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for those as young as three, the drugmaker confirmed on Tuesday (Jun 8), making it the first country to offer jabs to young children.

Since the coronavirus first emerged in central China, Beijing has mostly managed to bring the country's outbreak under control, and has administered more than 777 million vaccine doses after a sluggish start.

A spokesperson for Sinovac told AFP its vaccine had been approved for use on children.

"In recent days, the Sinovac vaccine was approved for emergency use in three- to 17-year- olds," the spokesperson said.

But he did not confirm when the young children would be able to start receiving the shots, saying the schedule for the roll-out will be decided by the National Health Commission "according to China's current epidemic prevention and control needs and vaccine supply".

The company has completed early phase trials of the vaccine in children and adolescents, with results to be published shortly in the Lancet scientific journal, the spokesperson added.

State broadcaster CCTV reported over the weekend that an unnamed official in the State Council's epidemic response task force had said vaccines had been approved for children, and "the safety and effectiveness" had been proven.

A spokesperson for China's other major vaccine, Sinopharm, said that experts had demonstrated the effectiveness of its vaccine in children, but did not confirm whether it had been approved for use.

Chinese officials have said they are aiming to inoculate 70 per cent of the population of 1.41 billion by the end of this year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved both the Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines for emergency use in adults aged 18 and older, and both jabs are being administered in several countries around the world. While the WHO does not currently recommend vaccinating children against coronavirus, the United States, Britain, Singapore and the European Union have approved the Pfizer- BioNTech vaccine for those as young as 12. China reported 33 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, including 19 in southern Guangdong province where authorities have been battling a local outbreak.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/china-sinovac-covid-19-vaccine-children- 3-year-old-17-14971654

Mapping the Coronavirus Outbreak Across the World

Updated: June 9, 2021, 12:23 PM GMT+8

Tracking Covid-19

Vaccine Tracker

Global Cases

U.S. Cases

U.S. Regions

deaths/ mil. cases/ mil. tests/ 1,000 beds/ 1,000

Brazil 210.3 million 2,267 81,013 150.8 tests performed N/A

U.K. 65.4 million 1,958 69,447 2,829.4 tests performed 2.5

U.S. 330.3 million 1,812 101,103 1,368.3 tests performed 2.8

France 67.6 million 1,631 85,512 N/A 6.0

Germany 80.3 million 1,114 46,227 763.4 tests performed 8.0

Russia 141.9 million 862 35,833 965.3 tests performed 8.1

India 1.3 billion 268 22,108 278.1 samples tested 0.5

Japan 125.9 million 109 6,087 113.6 people tested 13.1

Mainland China 1.4 billion 3 66 N/A 4.3

Testing data as of June 8, 2021, 6:42 PM GMT+8

Sources: OECD for number of hospital beds (2016 for the U.S., 2017 for other countries), government agencies and the COVID Tracking Project via Our World in Data for testing data (various recent dates) (reported in the past 45 days) and the U.S. Census Bureau for population figures (2019).

The world is bracing for a new wave of Covid-19 infections, as the coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 170 million people and killed more than 3.7 million globally since late January 2020. Efforts many countries took to stamp out the pneumonia-like illness led to entire nations enforcing lockdowns, widespread halts of international travel, mass layoffs and battered financial markets. Recent attempts to revive social life and financial activities have resulted in another surge in cases and hospitalizations, though new drugs and improved care may help more people who get seriously ill survive.

Getting to a Flatter Curve The first 508 days with more than 100 confirmed cases

Asia

Other

Show deaths 01002003004005001 yrDays since 100 confirmed cases1001,00010,000100,0001,000,00010,000,00030,000,000CasesMainland ChinaSouth KoreaJapanItalyIranFranceSingaporeGermanySpainU.K.Hong KongU.S.AustraliaBrazilIndiaRussiaTaiwanNew Zealand91,300145,091764,1854,233,6982,971,2705,775,53562,2103,710,3423,707,5234,538,39911,865 33,378,09630,20516,984,21828,996,4735,076,54311,4912,692

Note: JHU CSSE reporting began on January 22, 2020, when mainland China had already surpassed 500 cases.

Source: Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering

173,904,817

Confirmed cases worldwide

3,745,152

Deaths worldwide

Jurisdictions with cases confirmed as of June 9, 2021, 12:23 PM GMT+8

1–99

100–999

1,000–9,999

10,000–99,999

100,000–999,999

1,000,000–9,999,999 10 million or more

Loading data... Where deaths have occurred Deaths Cases

U.S. 598,33233,391,107

Brazil 476,79217,037,129

India 351,30928,996,473

Mexico 229,1002,438,011

Peru 186,7571,984,999

U.K. 128,1184,544,372

Italy 126,6904,235,592

Russia 122,4095,086,386

France 110,2995,781,556

Colombia 92,923 3,611,602

Germany 89,497 3,712,595

Argentina 82,667 4,008,771

Iran 81,362 2,980,116

Spain 80,309 3,711,027

Poland 74,255 2,875,729

South Africa 57,183 1,704,058

Ukraine 53,420 2,276,111

Indonesia 51,992 1,869,325

Turkey 48,341 5,300,236

Romania 31,155 1,079,154

Czech Republic 30,193 1,663,998

Chile 30,104 1,440,417

Hungary 29,883 806,206

Canada 25,774 1,402,983

Belgium 25,051 1,072,175

Philippines 22,064 1,280,773

Pakistan 21,453 936,131 Where deaths have occurred Deaths Cases

Ecuador 20,831 432,985

Netherlands 17,972 1,693,302

Bulgaria 17,860 419,859

Portugal 17,037 853,632

Iraq 16,589 1,233,240

Egypt 15,437 269,527

Bolivia 15,177 392,975

Sweden 14,546 1,080,733

Japan 13,705 766,068

Tunisia 13,126 358,183

Bangladesh 12,913 815,282

Slovakia 12,423 390,546

Greece 12,331 411,534

Switzerland 10,844 698,798

Austria 10,647 647,322

Paraguay 10,145 379,131

Jordan 9,530 739,847

Bosnia 9,460 204,455

Morocco 9,187 522,003

Guatemala 8,331 263,836

Nepal 8,098 595,364

Croatia 8,096 357,786

Lebanon 7,774 541,801

Saudi Arabia 7,488 459,968

Serbia 6,930 714,054

Honduras 6,532 242,796

Israel 6,418 839,585 Where deaths have occurred Deaths Cases

Panama 6,408 383,733

Moldova 6,141 255,541

North Macedonia 5,462 155,441

Georgia 4,951 350,428

Azerbaijan 4,947 334,849

Ireland 4,941 265,114

Uruguay 4,749 322,978

Mainland China 4,636 91,316

Armenia 4,463 223,285

Slovenia 4,391 255,652

Lithuania 4,317 276,759

Costa Rica 4,251 333,820

Ethiopia 4,220 273,175

Dominican Republic 3,672 302,988

Algeria 3,537 131,647

Malaysia 3,536 627,652

Palestinian territories 3,520 310,544

Kazakhstan 3,482 452,760

Kenya 3,326 173,072

Afghanistan 3,251 82,326

Myanmar 3,228 144,579

Libya 3,149 187,928

Belarus 2,929 401,019

Venezuela 2,750 245,300

Sudan 2,711 36,004

Denmark 2,521 288,115

Albania 2,452 132,397 Where deaths have occurred Deaths Cases

Oman 2,434 226,648

Latvia 2,423 135,144

El Salvador 2,279 74,983

Kosovo 2,250 107,099

Nigeria 2,117 166,918

South Korea 1,977 145,692

Kyrgyzstan 1,859 107,714

Sri Lanka 1,844 210,661

Kuwait 1,801 320,257

Syria 1,799 24,700

U.A.E. 1,704 587,244

Zimbabwe 1,617 39,321

Montenegro 1,596 99,848

Yemen 1,336 6,823

Zambia 1,321 101,996

Cameroon 1,302 79,904

Thailand 1,297 182,548

Estonia 1,264 130,242

Bahrain 1,161 253,879

Malawi 1,158 34,410

Senegal 1,150 41,725

Cuba 1,033 151,259

Jamaica 960 48,810

Finland 959 93,394

Namibia 936 59,814

Australia 910 30,210

Botswana 885 58,095 Where deaths have occurred Deaths Cases

Madagascar 871 41,758

Mozambique 839 71,165

Luxembourg 818 70,291

Democratic Republic of Congo 817 33,577

Angola 803 36,004

Ghana 787 94,228

Norway 784 127,254

Somalia 773 14,776

Uzbekistan 699 102,163

Eswatini 674 18,680

Trinidad and Tobago 599 27,079

Qatar 570 218,980

Mali 520 14,324

Mauritania 470 19,895

Malta 419 30,572

Guyana 416 17,805

Uganda 388 54,669

Cyprus 365 72,919

Rwanda 364 27,434

Suriname 363 17,041

Haiti 333 15,895

Lesotho 326 10,839

Belize 325 12,909

Mongolia 318 67,710

Taiwan 308 11,694

Ivory Coast 306 47,511

Cambodia 278 35,511 Where deaths have occurred Deaths Cases

Cape Verde 269 31,225

The Bahamas 232 12,024

Hong Kong 210 11,868

Niger 192 5,440

Maldives 189 68,872

Nicaragua 188 7,662

The Gambia 179 6,002

Chad 174 4,942

Burkina Faso 167 13,454

Guinea 164 23,312

Papua New Guinea 164 16,398

Republic of the Congo 157 12,026

Gabon 154 24,651

Djibouti 154 11,566

Comoros 146 3,890

Andorra 127 13,781

Togo 125 13,551

Equatorial Guinea 118 8,640

South Sudan 115 10,688

Benin 102 8,082

Central African Republic 98 7,101

Tajikistan 90 13,308

San Marino 90 5,090

Liberia 88 2,290

Sierra Leone 82 4,219

Saint Lucia 80 5,148

Guinea-Bissau 68 3,790 Where deaths have occurred Deaths Cases

Liechtenstein 58 3,022

Vietnam 55 9,222

Barbados 47 4,032

Seychelles 46 12,466

Antigua and Barbuda 42 1,263

Sao Tome and Principe 37 2,353

Singapore 34 62,219

Monaco 33 2,511

Iceland 29 6,555

New Zealand 26 2,696

Tanzania 21 509

Mauritius 18 1,458

Timor-Leste 17 7,764

Eritrea 14 4,597

Diamond Princess Cruise 13 712

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 12 2,092

Burundi 8 4,925

Fiji 4 845

Laos 3 1,970

Brunei 3 246

MS Zaandam 2 9

Bhutan 1 1,724

Grenada 1 161

Western Sahara 1 10

Show more Note: Totals for Denmark, France, the Netherlands, the U.K., and the U.S. include overseas territories and other dependencies. Cases and deaths for cruise ships have been separated in accordance with JHU CSSE data. More Coverage From Bloomberg

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How Covid Is Shifting Human Behavior Around the World

The Covid Resilience Ranking

The epicenter of the pandemic has continued to shift throughout the year, from China, then Europe, then the U.S., and now to developing countries like Brazil. Cases globally surpassed 10 million in late June, but ever since infections have been multiplying faster. The U.S. and India have the most infections, accounting for more than a third of all cases combined.

Global Cases Added Per Day

New cases: 320,618

Jan 21, 2020

Jun 7, 2021

India

New cases: 86,498

Jan 21, 2020

Jun 7, 2021

Brazil

37,156

U.S.

15,496

Russia

9,297

U.K.

5,597

Iran

4,907

Germany 1,444

France

1,174

Mainland China

33

Note: On February 14, 2020, Hubei officials changed their diagnostic criteria, resulting in a spike in reported cases.

Countries took drastic measures to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 on their homefront—with varying degrees of success. More than 140 governments placed blanket bans on incoming travelers, closed schools and restricted gatherings and public events, according to data compiled by Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government and Bloomberg reporting.

As countries loosen lockdowns in an effort to reboot their economies, many have seen a resurgence of infections. The number of new daily cases in the U.S. rose to record highs after some states relaxed social distancing requirements. Even places that successfully contained infections earlier in the year, like China and South Korea, have seen cases bubble back up. Theories that warmer weather in the Northern Hemisphere would bring relief appear to be unfounded.

How the Outbreak Spread Country by Country Seven-day rolling average of new deaths and cases

Asia

Other

Show cases Mar 2020Jan 2021Jun 700.5K1.0K1.5K2.0K2.5K3.0K3.5K4.0KNew deaths by dayU.S.IndiaBrazilFranceTurkeyRussiaU.K.ItalyArgentinaGermanySpainColombiaIranPolandMexico0.487 K2.882K1.769K0.078K0.106K0.375K0.01K0.066K0.52K0.108K0.041K0.531K0.151K0.068K0.873K

Note: Shown are the 15 places with the highest totals of confirmed cases, as of June 7. Negative values resulting from governments revising their totals have been excluded from rolling average calculations.

The “worst is yet to come” given a lack of global solidarity, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, said at a briefing in Geneva on June 29.

In May, the WHO emphasized the need for a plan that includes testing for the virus and its antibodies, effective contact tracing and isolation, and community education. Antibody tests on the market that could potentially indicate a person’s immunity have been unreliable so far. Researchers and drugmakers are racing to develop treatments that could hold the key to recovery.

Gilead Sciences Inc.’s antiviral remdesivir is one of the first widely used drugs for Covid-19. It received an emergency use authorization from U.S. regulators in May, after a trial found it sped recovery by about four days in hospitalized patients. It was also part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s treatment after he tested positive for the coronavirus in early October, along with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s antibody cocktail and the generic drug dexamethasone.

Vaccines are also in development, though the study of one leading candidate from the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca Plc is on hold in the U.S. while regulators investigate a potential safety issue.

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-coronavirus-cases-world- map/?srnd=coronavirus

Covid map: Coronavirus cases, deaths, vaccinations by country

By The Visual and Data Journalism Team BBC News

Covid-19 is continuing to spread around the world, with more than 170 million confirmed cases and 3.5 million deaths across nearly 200 countries.

The US, India and Brazil have seen the highest number of confirmed cases, followed by France, Turkey, Russia and the UK. Very few places have been left untouched.

In the table below, countries can be reordered by deaths, death rate and total cases. In the coloured bars on the right-hand side, countries in which cases have risen to more than 10,000 per day are those with black bars on the relevant date. Note: The map, table and animated bar chart in this page use a different source for figures for France and the UK from that used by Johns Hopkins University. US figures do not include Puerto Rico, Guam or the US Virgin Islands. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51235105

'West Philippine Sea' appellation: Aquino's brainwashing trick, and a curse 3 NPA rebels killed in Masbate

By Rigoberto Tiglao

June 9, 2021

DISREGARDING international conventions and practice, President Benigno Aquino 3rd in 2012, on his own, renamed as the "West Philippine Sea" a segment of the South China Sea. It is a term that would hobble our efforts to settle our sovereignty and maritime-claim disputes with China and .

The South China Sea name was given by Europeans starting in the 16th century and recognized over the centuries as such by the world's nations. It is defined precisely through geographic coordinates by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), governing body for the naming of bodies of water around the world. China calls it internally as the "South Sea" while Vietnam calls it the "East Sea."

Aquino through Administrative Order 29 of 2012 named as "WPS" or West Philippine Sea, "the western side of the Philippine archipelago the Luzon Sea as well as the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc,

Aquino ordered the entire government to use the term "West Philippine Sea;" thus, the term has come to be used by everyone, from as high an official as President Duterte to the lowliest public employee.

However, only the Philippines uses that term to refer to that part of the South China Sea adjacent to the archipelago. Even high US officials such as former State secretary Michael Pompeo and the current one, Antony Blinken, while prodding the Philippines to quarrel with China, did not use West Philippine Sea to refer to the area that is the site of our disputes with China.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/06/09/opinion/columns/west-philippine-sea- appellation-aquinos-brainwashing-trick-and-a-curse/1802448

South China Sea Efforts Enhanced Jun 07, 2021

The consultation process for the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea started in 2013. The COC is considered an upgraded version of the Declaration on Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which was signed by China and ASEAN countries in 2002. The Joint Working Group for the Implementation of the Declaration on Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (JWG-DOC) is in charge of drafting the COC. On May 27, the JWG-DOC held its third ad-hoc online meeting since the start of 2021. The increase in the frequency of JWG-DOC meetings indicates enhanced efforts by the countries concerned.

Issues of debate and one emerging challenge

After the framework of the COC was agreed upon in May 2017, the COC consultation entered negotiations on substantive issues of the COC, which are expected to be sensitive and tough. Up until the first reading was completed in May 2019, the major issues of debate include the geographic scope and status of the COC, the duty to cooperate, dispute is possible that new issues might appear in the future negotiations. settlement and the role of third parties. As a “living document” and “a work in progress” it One emerging challenge has become obvious in the past year. The divergent positions relating to the 2016 SCS Arbitration award have been displayed through the Note Verbales

Commission on the Limit of Continental Shelf on the outer limit of its continental shelf in presented to the UN by the key claimants in the SCS, following Malaysia’s submission to the the SCS. China did not participate in the arbitration case and does not accept the award, while the Philippines will not ignore it. The non-parties to the case, including Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia, have invoked the case, either explicitly or implicitly, to their advantage.

Two disturbing issues

Two key issues have impacted and will continue to influence the COC consultation process: the COVID-

Because of 19the pandemic COVID-19 and pandemic, the dynamics communications of America’s relating China topolicy. the COC consultation have been rather limited. In 2020, the JWG-DOC could only hold one ad-hoc online meeting in September. Up until now, video conference is the only method that the mechanism has utilized to discuss the agenda, including the COC process. The current stage relates to sensitive issues and requires “total diplomacy at work.” Without personal interaction it is hard to make substantive progress. However, on each occasion of the online meetings, the importance of the COC has been emphasized for maintaining peace and stability in the SCS, and consensus has been reiterated to keep the momentum of the COC consultation and to renew face-to-face discussions once the pandemic is under control.

The dynamics of American China policy have strong implications on security issues in the policy has evolved through three administrations to become an all-encompassing South China Sea. Since the U.S. “rebalance to Asia” plan was initiated, the country’s China confrontation wit the pandemic in the United States was out of control, irritation surged among U.S. elites, h China. With China’s influence growing, in particular during 2020 when and a bipartisan consensus against China has developed.

The South China Sea may be a theater in which the U.S. can prevail over China. Strategically the sea lanes of communication in the SCS are very important for the U.S. military to maneuver around the world. The dominant position the U.S. military occupies over these lanes may provide theoretical advantages to its military at time of conflict. Therefore, perceived as a challenge to U.S. dominance. To minimize the negative impacts of such a China’s military presence along its coast and in its controlled features in the SCS are scenario, the U.S. military has increased its intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance

(FONOP). (ISR) activities in China’s near sea area in the name of its freedom of navigation operations In such a geostrategic context, the existence of maritime disputes between China and its neighbors provides a unique opportunity for the U.S. to align itself with other claimants by efforts to align its allies and partners so they will join its military activities in the SCS. opposing China’s maritime claims. While increasing its military presence, the U.S. makes Recently the SCS has witnessed the presence of warships from Japan, Australia, Britain and France. The number of military exercises has increased. The perceived intrusive U.S. e risk of misunderstanding and misjudgment, which may lead to military confrontation detrimental to regional stability military actions and China’s response increase th and prosperity.

These two issues have added new motives for countries in the region to consider their policies and actions on issues that impact their security, including the COC consultation. Two divergent trends are at play in the South China Sea. On one hand, the claimants make efforts to maximize their interests, which leads to a higher frequency of incidents involving exploitation of marine resources, fishing or oil and gas. On the other hand, with the growing awareness of the potential risk posed by the geostrategic situation, in particular America’s aggressive China policy, the claimants have become more willing to reach a COC for the South China Sea as an efficient regional dispute management mechanism.

It is worth noting that ASEAN foreign ministers made a statement in August after U.S.

Although the statement aligned itself with ASEAN claimants against China, what the ASEAN Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s elaboration of the U.S. position on the South China Sea. -restraint observed was that “the changing geopolitical dynamics” may have “detrimental and reiterated their support for multilateralism in dealing with challenges and shaping an ramifications” for the region, and members called on all countries to exercise self effective rules-based multilateral architecture to deal with pressing common challenges.

Parallel with the COVID- icy, China and ASEAN countries have maintained continuous contact relating to the COC. The 19 pandemic and the dynamics of the America’s China pol interactions are through ASEAN-centered mechanisms such as the ASEAN-China summit, the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with China and the JWG-DOC. The main messages delivered are that progress has been made on the substantive negotiations, efforts have been undertaken for the step-by-step resumption of the COC negotiations, and an environment conducive to COC negotiations will be created by promoting practical measures.

Although the second reading of the single draft negotiating text has been halted because of the ongoing pandemic, bilateral interactions have shown their commitment to renew the negotiation. In January Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Mymmar, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines. From March 31 to April 2, the foreign ministers of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines visited China. During these bilateral meetings between top diplomats, the SCS issue was included on the agenda in which the COC consultation process was emphasized.

Looking into the future

China and ASEAN countries have shown their determination to manage the SCS disputes by having a COC, in particular during the time when the pandemic poses challenges to each government in terms of economic and social recovery. For the long-term peace and stability of the South China Sea, it is important that the COC is effective in ensuring that relevant parties exercise self-restraint, promote confidence-building measures and implement cooperative activities in nonsensitive areas.

The lapse in negotiations induced by the pandemic provides a delicate opportunity for all parties involved to ponder what is truly needed to formulate the COC and on which issues they are willing to compromise. A more realistic perspective can cultivate the culture of compromise during the negotiations. With further readings to come, the key players are willing to comprise in order to make the COC a reality.

The hype linked to incidents that have occurred in areas of overlapping claims can best be understood as a display of nationalistic trends in claimant countries, such as in the Philippines in relation to the Whitsun Reef. Cooling things down can provide space for negotiators to bargain and compromise. The key players need to be careful not to let nationalism disrupt the negotiation process. It is time to enhance efforts for the COC consultation. Creative thinking is needed.

The SCS Arbitration award remains a dividing factor. Political wisdom is needed to deal with the issue if it is raised in the COC consultation process.

As a regional organization, ASEAN has an important role to play to facilitate the early conclusion of the COC process.

https://www.chinausfocus.com/peace-security/south-china-sea-efforts-enhanced

Why Biden has been a disappointment to Southeast Asia so far • While Asean months into his presidency, Southeast Asian nations feel they have been largely frozen out bypolicymakers Washington and thought leaders welcomed Biden’s election, four • In contrast, Chinese leaders have maintained robust communications with their regional counterparts

Richard Heydarian

Talleyrand-Périgord once reportedly lamented in response to the House of Bo “Theyinability had to learned learn from nothing even and recent forgotten history. nothing,” Soon, France French was diplomat gripped C byharles another Maurice revolution, de ancien régime forurbon’s good. led by Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew, which swept away the ar inability to learn from even what it remembers perfectly. And it s in Southeast Asia where this dynamic ofTwo benign centuries neglect later,and the strategic world’s amnesia reigning is superpoweron full display. has exhibited a simil ’ After four years of Trumpian disruption, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations policy elite welcomed Joe Biden a surveyby the Singapore-based ISEAS Yusof-Ishak Institute, 61.5 per cent of Southeast Asian respondents preferred aligning with ’s victory. According to Washington may have the United States over China, reflecting how the region’s “support for increasedThis unusually as a result high level of the of prospects optimism ofwas the not new entirely Biden unfounded.Administration.” The return of veteran diplomats - nations feeland they former have Obamabeen largely administration frozen out officials, by Washington. raised hope of a renewed “golden age” of US Asean relations. Four months into Biden’s presidency, however, Southeast Asian https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3136344/why-biden-has-been- disappointment-southeast-asia-so-far

Legacy weapons are eroding the military’s edge • Mark Milley | AFP-JIJI

• BLOOMBERG • Jun 8, 2021 After two decades of counterinsurgency campaigns in the Middle East, the U.S. military is shifting its focus to great-power competition with the likes of China and Russia.

Countering such rivals will require the Pentagon to free up resources to ensure “every defense dollar [is] spent on programs and equipment that will be relevant in the next fight,” as Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Congress last month. Unfortunately, too much of the defense budget remains geared toward fighting the last war.

Though the U.S. spends three times more on defense than any other country, its technological edge is eroding — due in part to the cost of maintaining aging weapons programs. The share of military spending devoted to operations and maintenance — a major profit source for the defense industry — is 42%, compared to 28% at the height of the Cold War, while weapons procurement has fallen from 30% to 19%. In real dollars, U.S. investments in defense research and development are nearly 40% lower than a decade ago.

The disproportionate spending on legacy systems is driven by how long it takes to develop, test and deploy them. The “life cycles” of contracts for major programs, such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, can stretch for decades, forcing the military to sink money into keeping existing programs in operation, rather than investing in new ones. The cost of the Pentagon’s 93 major defense acquisition programs (MDAPs) totals $1.8 trillion, which is $628 billion larger than was projected when the programs began.

As a result, the U.S. is spending more than ever on a dwindling number of dated weapons systems. Nearly 75% of the air force’s fleet is at least 20 years old, for instance. According to a 2020 report by the congressional Future of Defense Task Force, legacy programs will account for 70% of the military’s capabilities by 2030, even though many of those systems “lack the lethality and survivability to be effective in the future.”

To be sure, even some of the military’s oldest assets remain useful for deterring potential adversaries. Yet delaying adoption of next-generation technologies carries risks. China has acquired a range of advanced military gear, including attack submarines, hypersonic missiles, cyberweapons and sophisticated air-defense systems. The Department of Defense projects that “it is likely that Beijing will seek to develop a military by mid-century that is equal to — or in some cases superior to — the U.S. military.”

In his congressional testimony, Milley, the country’s highest-ranking officer, acknowledged that “continuing to purchase and maintain legacy equipment takes needed defense dollars away from the acquisition of systems that are needed for modernization.” Addressing the problem will require commitment from civilian and military leaders alike.

Gen. David Berger, the commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, has set a promising example by calling for retiring the tanks and cannon artillery batteries used by the marines in recent wars in favor of new ships and surveillance drones better suited for countering China. The military should conduct comprehensive reviews of its costliest weapons programs, modeled on the army’s “night-court” process, launched in 2018. That budget-cutting exercise freed up $33 billion for investment in emerging technologies by canceling spending on army equipment that had outlived its usefulness. Finally, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin should speed up the Pentagon’s acquisition process to help companies cross the development “valley of death” and bring promising technology prototypes to scale.

Congress, meanwhile, should identify weapons platforms that can be cut without harming military readiness and stop requiring the service-branch chiefs to submit “wish lists” of unfunded priorities. If Congress fails to act, the Biden administration should create an independent commission to assess U.S. spending on legacy programs and recommend whether to replace or retire them. The panel could be modeled on the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, which conducted five reviews of U.S. military installations between 1988 and 2005 that have yielded $12 billion in annual savings.

Greater investment in military technology and equipment is critical, but so is balancing defense spending with other national priorities. Reducing big-ticket weapons programs — or eliminating them altogether — is a necessary step toward winning the wars of the future.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2021/06/08/commentary/world- commentary/legacy-weapons-eroding-military-edge/

Will China Fill a Middle East Vacuum? Jun 07, 2021

It has been many weeks since late March and early April, when Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited six Middle Eastern countries. But international attention to the visit has not dwindled. Various webinars held by institutions both in and outside the region continue to focus on the visit. In these webinars, one of the most frequently asked questions is whether China will fill the void left by the United States.

To many internationa supplant the U.S. in helping to manage the affairs of the region. l observers, Wang’s visit seems to suggest that China intends to These speculations are mistaken in many ways. First of all, it is not likely that that America will leave the Middle East, a signal sent by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on visits policy and its posture toward the U.S. are inaccurate. to Israel and several Arab countries. In addition, such ideas about China’s Middle East It is true that recent years have seen China-U.S. relations turn more confrontational because of unreasonable U.S. policies toward China. The Donald Trump administration had launched an all- administration, while expected to take a diffe around “maximum pressure” campaign against China in 2017. The Biden

rent approach, has followed Trump’s policy in many ways and regards China and the U.S. as entering a period of “stiff competition.” always been reasonable and consistent. China well understands that confrontational But despite U.S. policy becoming more confrontational, China’s policy toward the U.S. has relations with the U.S. will be good for neither country, nor for the world. Therefore, no matter how difficult it is, or how unreasonable the U.S. side becomes, China will work hard to develop cooperative r objective in its relations with the U.S. is cooperation. China on many occasions has elations. Though struggling for its legitimate interests, China’s expressed clearly that its development is designed to improve the livelihoods of its people, and its objective is not to replace the U.S. in international affairs or to compete with the U.S. to cooperate with the U.S. and with other major parties regarding regional affairs, and it China’s policy in the Middle East is an integral part of its overall foreign policy. It also wants regards cooperation on Middle East issues as part of its overall relations with the U.S.

The assumptions about China filling the vacuum is also based on an incorrect l order. China regards the world as a collection of various nation-states that enjoy sovereignty equally, and it interpretation of China’s perceptions of the international and regiona respects the sovereignty of other nation-states. While it is large, it has been consistently and more forcefully defending the principle of non-interference. As for regional affairs, China will always argue that countries in the region should cooperate to work out ways to manage their own affairs. Therefore, the discourse of filling a Middle East vacuum is s foreign policy.

Regardingactually not its in own the dictionarypolicy in the of MiddleChina’ East, China has expressed very clearly that it does not seek allies or proxies in the region, nor does it want to build spheres of influence. This stance is clearly demonstrated in many speeches by President Xi Jinping, for instance, during his visit to the Middle East in early 2016, and by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in recent years. What China wants to do is to build circles of partnerships for common development, and the Belt and Road Initiative provides an opportunity.

Regarding the security framework of the Middle East, China believes that countries in the region should work out security mechanisms via dialogue, and that they themselves are the deciders of regional affairs. External actors should neither stand by nor impose solutions for regional affairs or security mechanisms. They can mediate among regional rivalries and push for collective efforts.

Though China has expressed its position many times, its policy has not been well understood partly as a result of a broad and persistent Cold War mentality, or power politics, of the West. Such a mentality takes it for granted that China on its developing course would move into the vacuum or launch some sort of geopolitical competition with the U.S.

oppose unreasonable and irresponsible policies of the U.S. Examples are numerous. On the other hand, though it is not China’s course to fill the vacuum in the region, it does China, together with Russia, France and Germany, strongly opposed the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. China, together with Russia, opposed the U.S. and its European allies bombing Libya in 2011 by over-interpreting a UN Security Council resolution. And China, together with Russia, since 2012, has vetoed several UN Security Council resolutions that could lead to interfering in the war in the sovereign nation-state of Syria.

China also is a major opponent of the unreasonable U.S. policy approach on the Iran nuclear term as that administration stayed on a cooperative track and observed a multilateral approach. But China opposed issue. China cooperated with the U.S. during Barack Obama’s undermined multilateral efforts to address the issue of potential nuclear proliferation in strongly Trump’s withdrawal from the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal), as the policy seriously it was implementing the nuclear deal normally. the region. China opposed Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran, even though China is also a major critic of the biased U.S. policy on the Israel-Palestine conflicts. The

UN Security Council in May 2021, criticized the U.S. policy blocking the efforts of the UN latest tension has drawn China’s explicit criticism on U.S. policy. China, holding the chair of Security Council to discuss the conflict and to issue a statement calling for a cease-fire between the two parties. China has good reason to criticize U.S. for disregarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and in Palestine.

All in all, the question of whether China will fill the void left by the U.S. in the Middle East is laden with false assumptions. China intends to have cooperative relations with the U.S. in Middle East affairs, though it does explicitly criticize unreasonable U.S. policies in the region. China stands ready to help but always respects the efforts of countries in the region to make their own decisions on regional issues.

And, by the way, it is too early to talk about the U.S. leaving the Middle East.

https://www.chinausfocus.com/peace-security/will-china-fill-a-middle-east-vacuum

China can regain an important friend if it makes up with India

• Already locked in rivalry with the US, it was not ideal for Beijing to alienate New Delhi, but the China-India border row has had that effect • Xi Jinping’s stated wish for China to make friends rather than enemies could apply to its increasingly US-friendly neighbour

Shi Jiangtao

Few could have expected a year ago that China’s relations with India, which were improving after a 2017 border row, would soon dip to their lowest in decades.

But another stand-off in the Himalayas, in Ladakh, has yet to be resolved after 13 months, and it is clear that last June’s clash in which 20 Indian and at least four Chinese soldiers were killed was a turning point, particularly in how New Delhi perceives Beijing.

Before the clash, both sides rejoiced about the “heart-to-heart” friendship between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who were planning a third summit in two years. As China fixated on a new cold war with the United States, most China-watchers argued it would be nightmarish for Beijing to alienate New Delhi. But a year later, that’s exactly what has happened. https://www.scmp.com/comment/article/3136512/china-can-regain-important-friend-if- it-makes-india

The U.S. is methodically and cravenly peeling Taiwan off of China

Ostensibly, the United States doesn't recognize Taiwan as a country. Doing so would mean having the wrath of the Chinese mainland and diplomatic, economic and military retaliation bearing down on it.

So it attempts to make end-runs around the restriction. Like the one on June 7 when U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a House committee that they are "engaged in conversation" with Taiwan about trade talks. According to Bonnie Glaser, an expert at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, this signals the resumption of Trade Investment Framework Talks (TIFA) with Taiwan, which have been put on ice since the Obama administration.

"China also will see such talks as part of a Biden strategy to strengthen ties with Taiwan and what they see as a diminishing U.S. commitment to [the one-China policy]," she said.

It'd be hard not to "see" the fact, and the fact is that the Biden administration, carrying a similar policy from previous administration forward, has no respect for the one-China policy and the bedrock of the China-U.S. relationship. The handful of times its officials reiterated adherence to the one-China policy turned out to be nothing more than a tactic to superficially appease the mainland while coloring outside the boxes behind everyone's back.

Conducting trade talks with Taiwan, instead of the Chinese mainland, is blatantly assuming that Taiwan is an independent economic entity with a separate political oversight. In other words, any trade talks and potential trade deals are tantamount to recognizing Taiwan as an independent country and a violation of the Three Joint Communiques.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-06-08/The-U-S-is-methodically-and-cravenly-peeling- Taiwan-off-of-China-10VnY9w8Ru8/index.html

We Need a Better Game Plan to Reach Global Herd Immunity The world is still vaccinating the few while neglecting the many.

By Bogolo Kenewendo, a nonresident fellow at the Center for Global Development and a former Botswanan minister of investment, trade, and industry.

The spread of COVID-19 has wreaked havoc, with countless lives lost, economies severely compromised, and health care systems put under unprecedented stress. It has also brought to light—and exacerbated—grave inequalities between the rich and poor countries of the world.

Mass vaccination could bring about economic recovery and resuscitate markets after the devastating effects of lockdown measures taken to mitigate the coronavirus’s spread. Yet vaccine distribution has also thrown a harsh light on the economic inequalities between developed and developing countries—not only but especially the nations of Africa. Richer countries have stockpiled vaccines, and some have procured enough to immunize their populations three times over; a report by One Campaign estimates that the European Union alone has secured 2.6 billion vaccines doses, which would allow the bloc to completely vaccinate every EU resident twice and still have almost 500 million doses left. Vaccinating the few while neglecting the many is not an effective game plan for stamping out the virus.

As the virus continues to mutate, vaccine nationalism is likely to make a bad situation worse. A survey by the People’s Vaccine Alliance highlighted epidemiologists’ concerns that new variants will render current vaccines ineffective: Nearly one-third of the 77 epidemiologists questioned believe this will happen in nine months or less, while two-thirds believed it would happen in less than a year. Already, we have seen that currently available vaccines may not be as effective against the more contagious beta mutation of the virus that is spreading rapidly across the African continent or the delta variant that has decimated India.

The international community must act in enlightened self-interest and adopt a multilateral strategy to conquer COVID-19 once and for all. Working together is a more effective strategy than stockpiling. Ensuring universal access to coronavirus vaccines and securing a worldwide threshold of immunity is the key to beating the virus and regaining stability around the globe. And in this regard, the world is badly lagging. Many African countries simply cannot afford to procure vaccines, not least because the pandemic has decimated government revenues.

At the current pace of vaccine production, the Economist Intelligence Unit estimates that poorer economies, including most African countries, will not be able to achieve mass immunization before 2024—if ever. This could change if rich countries, such as the United States and the members of the European Union, support the temporary patent waiver for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, a step that was first proposed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2020 by India and South Africa. A waiver for intellectual property (IP) protections is supported by more than 100 countries. It would help scale up vaccine production, research, and the production of medical equipment in less wealthy countries.

It was encouraging to hear U.S. President Joe Biden express his support for the IP waiver, and the EU’s willingness to explore the waiver in WTO negotiations is a good step. But not all European countries support it, arguing that relaxing IP protections could be a disincentive for pharmaceutical companies to pursue further research. The questions remain: Will the IP waiver be agreed on and if so, how quickly? Will the pharmaceutical companies play ball? Will the world work together toward liberalizing and strengthening the vaccine supply chain to enable the participation of new producers, especially in developing countries such as South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco?

Of course, the production of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments is only part of the battle. Procurement and distribution are also key, yet the economic constraints introduced or exacerbated by the pandemic in the developing world add further obstacles to procurement and distribution efforts. First off, the price of the vaccines is higher for developing countries: Earlier this year, the South African National Department of Health confirmed that the country was quoted $5.25 per dose for AstraZeneca shots, which European countries have been getting for $2.16. These unfortunate practices drive inequity further. Why should African governments have to choose between saving lives and holding on to their national assets?

Many African countries simply cannot afford to procure vaccines. The pandemic has decimated government revenues from commodities and tourism, and it has required hefty public spending to keep economies afloat. Even before the pandemic, most African nations still had a long way to go toward meeting the Abuja Declaration target of allocating 15 percent of government budgets on health. Facing an economic crisis, how are African and other developing countries’ governments supposed to mobilize more funding for vaccination campaigns? Even COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX), the multilateral effort to procure coronavirus vaccines for low- and middle-income countries, needs another $2 billion in addition to the $6 billion it has already raised in order to reach the goal of vaccinating at least 2 billion people in participating countries by the end of this year. Once again, the issue of affordability is key.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/06/08/covid-vaccines-covax-africa-developing- countries-global-herd-immunity-health-justice-pandemic/

Rumors during a natural disaster may facilitate greater evacuation — even when unnecessary By Marcos Cabello June 8, 2021 When natural disasters strike, whether or not people in a community choose to evacuate may depend on the social ties present in that community, according to new research based on a 2018 earthquake in Japan.

The study, published May 17 in Climate Risk Management, found that towns that didn't face significant damage after a disaster saw much more evacuation if they had low trust in government and strong social ties among people who are different from one another in terms of race, religion, class, gender or age. These findings show that governments need to build and foster trust with their citizens, especially in the face of catastrophe.

However, in communities that did face significant damage, a strong trust in government and strong social ties among community members, both similar and dissimilar from one another, motivated greater evacuation to shelters compared to those that had lower social ties across all three dimensions.

Timothy Fraser, Larissa Morikawa and Daniel Aldrich, in an interview with The Academic Times about their research, highlighted that proper evacuation can save lives, but evacuating when there is no real need costs time and money, potentially taking resources such as food, water and shelter from someone who might actually need them. All from Northeastern University, Aldrich is a professor, Fraser is a Ph.D. candidate and Morikawa is an alumna who just finished her master's degree.

"Different types of social ties have very different impact on behavior, especially during a shock," Aldrich said. "We have a lot of data on people not leaving before a disaster arrives. Even if it was predicted and forecast accurately, people don't necessarily leave."

Among the different types of social ties are bonding ties, which refer to social ties that include family, friends and kin; bridging ties, which are social ties to "people that are different than us," Aldrich said, who a person might meet through community activities like school, clubs or church; and linking ties, which refer to a person's trust in the government authorities and first responders, among other authorities.

Rather than using Facebook user data, post-hoc surveys or ad-hoc roadside interviews to measure evacuation rates as previous studies have done, the researchers used a mixed-methods approach to study the impact of social ties on evacuation behaviors following a disaster. They drew on a now publicly available dataset, meticulously gathered by Morikawa, of almost-daily tallies of evacuees at 660 local shelters following Japan's 2018 Eastern Iburi earthquake in Hokkaido, an island located in the north of Japan.

The researchers paired this dataset with qualitative fieldwork, producing case studies from Japanese towns in Hokkaido, including Atsuma and Tomakomai. By speaking with the residents in these towns, the researchers were able to uncover what fueled the differences in evacuation responses, something that quantitative data alone is unable to provide.

In unaffected communities following a disaster, stronger bonding and bridging ties seemed to facilitate the spreading of rumors during blackouts rumors that encouraged people to pack up and move to an evacuation shelter. — Morikawa entered the fieldwork with the hypothesis that perhaps people who suffered the most damage or didn't have access to a necessity such as water would have evacuated the most. But when she spoke to people in Hokkaido, she discovered that talk on social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, spread rumors about water and electricity blackouts. "I went to talk to people in town hall [in Tomakomai]," Morikawa said, "and they showed me this graph of people in evacuation shelters during would just like soar and [someone] had explained that, during that time, thisa period rumor of wenttime, aroundmaybe like that a water week wasor something going to shut … and out." then one time it

Morikawa recounted that people then took to social media and started calling their neighbors as this rumor spread. At that point, people started to move to evacuation shelters, even though they still had water at the time they evacuated and even though Tomakomai was experiencing little to no damage.

"We see a really interesting effect of bridging ties, which are usually good at spreading information," Fraser said. "But our qualitative insights from fieldwork suggests that, actually, maybe those key bridging networks were also sharing rumors that you really needed to evacuate in communities where it wasn't quite as necessary."

In contrast, Atsuma is a town that was greatly affected by the earthquake, with damage to 1,901 buildings, 36 deaths and 61 injured, all in a town of 4,838 people. Atsuma lined up perfectly with the researchers' models, which suggested that affected communities with stronger bridging ties, especially when aided by linking ties, motivate greater evacuation to shelters.

Among these findings, a salient point emerges: In communities that didn't have extensive damage and had no issues with water or electricity supply, a low trust in government was associated with higher evacuation.

"What we're seeing is individuals who have low trust in the government

Aldrich said. "Individuals who have high trust, the government tells them,… they 'You're get this fine, information stay where [rumors] you are,' and they they're listen. more So, what likely we're to go saying out," here is this combination of a lack of trust in government authorities plus false information makes you more likely to act." The researchers emphasized that these findings highlight the need for government to be clear and transparent in its communications with the public and that governments need to foster trust during crises and disasters.

The lack of trust among citizens vis-à-vis their governments indicates a social infrastructure problem, according to Aldrich, and just as the government can build infrastructure around roads and bridges, governments can also work on and invest in social infrastructure to produce better outcomes during a crisis.

"If people don't trust their government, if they don't trust the first responders," Aldrich said, "then you're going to see behaviors that are outcomes no one really wants." detrimental to not only the individuals … you're going to see some https://academictimes.com/rumors-during-a-natural-disaster-may-facilitate-greater- evacuation-even-when-unnecessary/