China Hits Back At Australia Over Solomon Islands ‘Red Line’, Saying ‘The Pacific Is Not Someone’s Backyard’

April 29, 2022May 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

China has slammed Australia for opposing its security pact with Solomon Islands, calling it a colonialist myth-driven violation of sovereignty and saying Canberra had no right to lay down any “red line”.
This came as Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said a Chinese military base in the South Pacific nation would be a “red line” for his government, days after Beijing and Honiara confirmed the signing of the deal without revealing details.
Talk of China building a naval base on Solomon Islands was “purely fake news”, Chinese defence ministry spokesman Tan Kefei said on Thursday, accusing the Australian government and media of intentionally distorting facts and creating tension.

Kim Warns N. Korea Could ‘Preemptively’ Use Nuclear Weapons

April 29, 2022May 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

ABC News:

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned again that the North could preemptively use its nuclear weapons if threatened, as he praised his top army officials for a massive military parade in the capital, Pyongyang, this week.
Kim expressed “firm will” to continue developing his nuclear-armed military so that it could “preemptively and thoroughly contain and frustrate all dangerous attempts and threatening moves, including ever-escalating nuclear threats from hostile forces, if necessary,” the North’s official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday.

Iran May Attack Israel Directly, Nasrallah Warns In Quds Day Speech

April 29, 2022November 14, 2023 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

The Jerusalem Post:

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel against continuing its “aggression against the Iranian presence in the region,” saying Iran may “attack Israel directly” during a video address delivered at a ceremony in Beirut on Friday as Iran and its proxies marked Quds Day.
The address was one of Nasrallah’s first speeches since a rocket was fired from southern Lebanon into northern Israel earlier this week. The IDF responded to the rocket fire with over 50 artillery shells toward southern Israel.
The Hezbollah leader referenced the Iranian missile attack on Erbil, Iraq in March, which Iran said it carried out after an alleged Israeli attack on Iran was launched from there, saying that the strike was a message to countries in the region that any attack on Iran from these countries would be responded to with an attack on those countries.

Alexanda Kotey: IS ‘Beatle’ Sentenced To Life In US For Murders In Syria

April 29, 2022May 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

BBC News:

An Islamic State group militant from the UK has been jailed for life by a US court for his involvement with a notorious hostage-taking terror cell.
Alexanda Kotey, 38, pleaded guilty last September to eight criminal charges relating to the abduction, torture and beheading of IS hostages in Syria.
Kotey, originally from London, showed no emotion as judge Thomas Selby Ellis delivered his verdict.

I wish we could stop associating these clowns with the Beatles. An Eric Idle “Islamic State Rutles” parody might be pretty funny, though.

Can The Riyadh Reshuffle Bring Peace To Yemen?

April 29, 2022May 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

War On The Rocks:

After years of relative inertia, events have moved quickly in the Yemeni Civil War over the past several weeks. With a new government in place and a ceasefire holding on the ground, this could be Yemen’s best chance for peace since 2014.

U.S. Urges Restoration Of Essential Services In Ethiopia’s Tigray

April 29, 2022May 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

Reuters:

The United States wants the opposing sides involved in conflict in Ethiopia to advance a negotiated ceasefire and for essential services to be restored in the Tigray region, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday.
“We now urge the parties… to seize the opportunity to advance a negotiated ceasefire, including the necessary security arrangements, and call for the restoration of essential services in Tigray on an urgent basis,” he said in a statement.

UN Extends Libya Mission After US-Russia Clash

April 29, 2022May 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

The Washington Post:

The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Friday to extend the U.N. political mission in Libya for three months, with the United States and Britain accusing Russia of blocking a longer and more substantive mandate that would include promoting reconciliation of the country’s rival governments now claiming power.
Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow insisted on a three-month extension to pressure U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to urgently appoint a new special representative to head the mission, known as UNSMIL. The former U.N. special envoy, Jan Kubis, resigned on Nov. 23 after 10 months on the job.
Nebenzia said in the absence of a new envoy, the U.N. mission “has been unable to provide substantial support for the political process in Libya for more than six months.” He blamed some unidentified members of the Security Council who he claimed “are not ready to accept a scenario where UNSMIL is guided by an African representative,” saying their opposition is “non-constructive” and “a manifestation of neo-colonialism.”

Afghanistan: Former Army General Vows New War Against Taliban

April 29, 2022May 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

BusinessGhana:

An ex-general in the Afghan army says he and many other former soldiers and politicians are preparing to launch a new war against the Taliban
Lt Gen Sami Sadat said that eight months of Taliban rule has convinced many Afghans that military action is the only way forward.
He said operations could begin next month after the Islamic Eid festival, when he plans to return to Afghanistan.

‘Justice For Greenwood’ Juice Hopes To Raise Awareness, Inspire Tulsa Community

April 29, 2022May 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

KRMG:

Tulsa’s Inheritance Juicery has created a new beverage to benefit the Justice for Greenwood Foundation.
“Justice for Greenwood” is a blend of cucumber, pineapple, spinach, mint, and lime. Lukas Vodicka is the General Manager of Inheritance Juicery, and he was inspired to create the juice to benefit our community.
“Once we learned about what Justice for Greenwood Foundation stands for, and the centennial was over, we were very passionate about trying to find a way to keep the message going, so it doesn’t just die without all the attention that Tulsa received during that time,” said Vodicka.
50 percent of the juice’s sales from May 1 to Jun. 1 will benefit the Justice for Greenwood Foundation.
“We have about 50 to 60 people every single day in our store say I’d like Justice for Greenwood, which I think is important and very relevant to what we’re trying to achieve and what so many people are trying to achieve in Tulsa.”
Vodicka says Justice for Greenwood has been a top seller, and they plan to keep offering the juice until justice has been served for Greenwood.

Tulsa Greek Festival Drive-Thru Underway

April 29, 2022May 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

KJRH:

The Tulsa Greek Street Festival Drive-Thru started Friday, giving Tulsans a chance to get a taste of Greece.
They say it takes a village, but for Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, it’s taken faithful parishioners coming together to share their time, gifts, and authentic Greek recipes with Tulsa. When you step foot in their kitchen, you feel like you’re in Greece.
“It’s really a celebration of just the Greek heritage,” Denis Boone, Chairman of the Greek Festival Steering Committee said.
For nearly 60 years, his congregation has been celebrating their Greek heritage through their annual festival.
“We’re one of the oldest festivals in Tulsa,” Boone said.

Northern Oklahoma Sees Potential For Severe Weather

April 29, 2022May 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

News On 6:

On Friday night, as the cold front swings in, rain and storm chances will be higher.
These storms between midnight and 5 a.m. could also be severe with hail up to golf ball size, winds up to 65 mph and a very low tornado threat.

War In Ukraine (4/28/22)

April 28, 2022April 29, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

American Killed Fighting Alongside Ukrainian Forces In Ukraine

Ukraine Conflict: British Man Scott Sibley Killed

German Parliament Approves Petition To Deliver Heavy Arms To Ukraine

NATO Says It’s Ready To Back Kyiv For Years In War Against Russia

Biden Asks Congress To Pass $33B Ukraine Aid Package

Lend-Lease Is Back As Congress Gives Biden New Tool For Quick Ukraine Weapons Shipments

Supply Crisis: U.S. Javelin And Stinger Stocks Rapidly Dwindle

China’s Partnership With Russia Seen As Serious Problem For The U.S.

Russian-Controlled Region Of Ukraine Will Start Using Rouble, Official Says -RIA

‘They Never Expected Mariupol To Resist.’ Locals Horrified By Russia’s Relentless Attack On The Vast Steel Plant Shielding Ukrainians

In Kharkiv, No Let-Up For Ukraine Firefighters

Russia Bombards Kyiv During A Visit by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres

U.S. Analyzing Strikes On Kyiv, Says Pentagon

Kremlin Attacks Grind Forward In Donbas, Fight On For Severny Donets River Crossings

Putin Relied On ‘Kosovo Precedent’ To Recognize Donbass ‘Republics’

Russian Priests Fly ‘Holy Fire’ Aboard Military Helicopter Near Ukraine

Troops Allege Military’s COVID Vaccine Mandate Is A ‘Religious Purge’

April 28, 2022April 29, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

Military Times:

Three active duty service members appeared in a segment aired Thursday on a podcast hosted by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, accusing the Defense Department of using the COVID-19 vaccine mandate to “intentionally purge” religious service members.
Air Force Capt. Jordan Karr, Army Maj. Samuel Sigoloff and Air Force Master Sgt. Nickolas Krupper made their cases from a variety of angles ― including religious freedom, controversy over the emergency authorization vs. Food and Drug Administration-approved version of the Pfizer vaccine and “natural immunity” to the novel coronavirus. But all agreed that the involuntary separation policy for vaccine refusal is part of a concerted effort to remove certain members of the military.

Democrats Announce Bills To Hold Pentagon Accountable For Civilian Deaths In US Military Operations

April 28, 2022April 29, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

Stars And Stripes:

Congressional Democrats seeking accountability for civilian deaths caused by the U.S. military announced two bills Thursday to overhaul the Pentagon’s methods for investigating and preventing civilian harm.
The two pieces of legislation — the Department of Defense Civilian Harm Transparency Act and the Protection of Civilians in Military Operations Act — would expand requirements for reporting the incidents and disclosing them to the public as well as move investigations out of the units responsible for the strikes.
“The evidence is clear: after 20 years of mostly unfulfilled pledges on preventing civilian harm, the Pentagon has shown that it needs the involvement of others outside the chain of command in setting policy and ensuring accountability,” said Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-N.J., a co-sponsor of both bills. “It is time to provide additional oversight through interagency partners and these bills do just that.”
Some lawmakers stepped up calls for reform after a botched drone strike killed 10 civilians during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan last year. The Pentagon said the strike was necessary to prevent an attack on U.S. troops but later acknowledged it was a tragic mistake.

Leaked Draft Of An Agreement Between China And The Solomon Islands Has U.S. Concerned

April 28, 2022April 30, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

NPR:

Details of the agreement have not been made public, but a draft was leaked last month, and it set off alarm bells in Australia and the United States. If the final version is unchanged, China will be able to deploy police or soldiers to the Solomon Islands for training and to help maintain order. It could also make naval ship visits.
Despite denials from Beijing and Honiara, there’s concern that China could eventually even open a naval base there. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that would cross a red line, and senior U.S. officials visited the Solomon Islands to explain Washington’s stance. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Kritenbrink was one of them.

Iran Nuclear Talks Freeze Amid Terrorist Label Spat — Even With Deal On The Table

April 28, 2022April 29, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

Politico:

Negotiations to restore the Iran nuclear deal have reached a complete standstill.
Despite having a roughly 27-page agreement virtually ready to go, diplomats are still hung up over one final sticking point between the U.S. and Iran: The status of a powerful branch of the Iranian military, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The U.S. placed the group on its “Foreign Terrorist Organization” list in 2019,part of President Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign after pulling out of the nuclear deal, which limited Iran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief.
Now the issue has been dragged into the final stages of long-running talks to revive the nuclear deal under President Joe Biden. The topic is of such immense political sensitivity in both Washington and Tehran that a compromise has proved impossible and now seems increasingly unrealistic.

Turkey’s Military Operation Causes Controversy, Division In Iraq

April 28, 2022April 29, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

Al Jazeera:

Turkey’s latest military operation in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq began early last week, with Ankara launching an air and ground offensive targeting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in pockets of Duhok province on April 18.
These operations against the PKK, an armed group fighting for the autonomy of Turkey’s southeast and considered a terrorist organisation by Ankara, have become a regular occurrence over recent years. However, they are growing more controversial in Iraq, and not just in areas administered by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Ethiopia Denies Tigrayan Forces Pulled Out Of Afar Region

April 28, 2022April 29, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

Reuters:

The Ethiopian government said on Thursday that rebellious Tigrayan forces are still in the neighbouring region of Afar, despite a spokesman for the Tigrayan forces announcing their withdrawal days earlier.
Government spokesperson Legesse Tulu told state media that the news that Tigrayan forces had left Afar were “big lies.”
Afar Police Commissioner Ahmed Harif told Reuters on Thursday that Tigrayan forces were still in four districts bordering Tigray – Koneba, Abala, Berhale and Magale – and had not moved since Monday.
Getachew Reda, the spokeman for the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the party that controls Tigray, did not respond to requests for comment. On Monday, he told Reuters Tigrayan forces were leaving Afar.

Pentagon Downplays $7B In US Military Equipment Left In Afghanistan

April 28, 2022April 29, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

Voice Of America News:

The fall of the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan gave Taliban fighters access to more than $7 billion worth of American military equipment, according to data in a report submitted this week to U.S. lawmakers and confirmed by the Pentagon.
The findings, first reported by CNN, shed light on the extent to which Washington sought to build, support and maintain the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) as a counterbalance to the Taliban and terror groups such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State Khorasan.
The report also details the bounty of weaponry and equipment awaiting Taliban officials once the last U.S. troops left Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on August 30, 2021, nearly two decades after the first U.S. forces arrived.
Top U.S. defense officials have repeatedly faced criticism from some high-profile lawmakers who have called on them to account for the U.S. pullout as well as the collapse of the U.S.-backed government.
Defense officials, however, sought on Thursday to defend the military’s actions and downplay the significance of the $7 billion in U.S. equipment and weaponry left behind, some of which had been brandished publicly by Taliban fighters.