Thursday, June 3, 2021

Defence & Security | June 3, 2021

 2 - White House News in Chinese (weebly.com)

About Avanti
Avanti Communications is the leading Ka-band high throughput satellite capacity partner to the communications industry in EMEA - extending and guaranteeing coverage for defence missions, enterprise solutions and critical public services.
Through the HYLAS satellite fleet and partners in 118 countries, Avanti provides dedicated fixed and flexible-beam satellite connectivity, with extensive coverage across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group has invested $1.2bn in a network that incorporates orbital slots in Ka-band spectrum, satellites, ground stations, datacentres and a fibre ring. www.avantiplc.com       quoted from
美俄掀起“退约”较量?俄机器人部队要来了?20210602 |《今日关注》CCTV中文国际
Jun 3, 2021
Viasat Ramps Satellite Services in the Middle East and Western Europe Ahead of ViaSat-3 Launch; Signs Ka-Band Capacity Lease Deal with Avanti Communications

June 3 - a global communications company, today announced it signed a Ka-band capacity lease agreement with Avanti Communications Group plc (Avanti) to provide additional coverage and capacity across the Middle East and Western Europe—ahead of its ViaSat-3 global constellation—to support Viasat's expanding global mobility and enterprise businesses, specifically across aviation, maritime and energy.


Viasat and Avanti have a long-standing relationship, having signed prior Ka-band capacity lease agreements. This new agreement augments Viasat's KA-SAT satellite coverage and capacity and will initially be leveraged to serve new mobility customers in the region.

Avanti's CEO, Kyle Whitehill said, "We are delighted to extend our relationship with Viasat and provide them support in the delivery of broadband connectivity across Europe and the Middle East. In-flight connectivity, in particular, is a high growth segment for satellite connectivity, and will serve Viasat well, enabling them to offer seamless connectivity capabilities across geographies."

Jimmy Dodd, president, Viasat Global Enterprise and Mobility added, "In working with Avanti, we can bring additional short-term capacity to the mobility and enterprise markets, enabling us to serve more customers, win new business and establish deeper market presence and penetration ahead of our ViaSat-3 satellite launch aimed over Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)."     quoted from


Bulgarian Foreign Ministry on US sanctions against Bulgarians: Sofia and Washington remain ready for dialogue

June 3 - The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry on June 2 issued an official position in connection with information released by the US State Department about measures under the "Magnitsky" law against Bulgarian individuals and legal entities.

The rule of law is at the heart of the democratic process in any state governed by the rule of law. In relations with our partners and allies, we have unequivocally shared our conviction that the fight against corruption in all its forms should be our unconditional priority and practical priority, the Foreign Ministry said.

As strategic partners, Bulgaria and the United States maintain a sustainable and effective Strategic Dialogue.

In terms of its structure, content and scope, cooperation between the two countries covers a number of issues on the national, regional and global agendas.

In this sense, and on the basis of the traditions of cooperation established over the years, we express confidence that Sofia and Washington remain ready for dialogue on all issues of shared interest, the Foreign Ministry concluded.     source from
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and China PM Li Keqiang in Beijing, China.
US-China Rivalry A Foreign Policy Headache For Bangladesh – Analysis

June 3 - Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming recently sought to warn a prospective alliance partner in Bangladesh not to join the Quad, adding that Bangladesh would “substantially damage” its relationship with China by joining the alliance aimed at countering China’s expansion in the Southern Asian region.

The ambassador’s remarks were then sharply criticized by the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abdul Momen as being presumptuous since the Quad had not yet approached the government, stating moreover that the decision to join or not is entirely a sovereign issue.

Momen expressed extreme dissatisfaction over the perceived “interference” from the Chinese ambassador, terming the statement “aggressive” and “regretful.” According to the minister, the nation’s foreign policy adheres to the principles of non-alignment and maintains a “balanced” approach that’s independent of any external influence or pressure.

Washington has surely taken note of the Bangladeshi foreign minister’s response to China’s ‘warning’ on the Quad as an act of assertiveness regarding the sovereign nation’s right to decide its (own) foreign policy...     more

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Biden’s Defense Budget | June 2, 2021

 2 - White House News in Chinese (weebly.com)




Experts: Is Biden’s Defense Budget Enough?
June 2, 2021
President Joe Biden unveiled his $715 billion defense budget last Friday. While it showed plans to spend more on programs seeking to counter China’s military buildup, some defense experts are still concerned if it’s really enough to outpace China.
美巨额军费“应对中国” 拉帮手增兵关岛搅亚太 20210531 |《今日关注》CCTV中文国际
Jun 1, 2021
Malaysia issues 'diplomatic protest' against Chinese military airspace intrusion
16 Chinese military jets flew in a tactical formation over South China Sea on Tuesday

June 2 - Malaysia's government will issue a "diplomatic protest against an intrusion" by Chinese military aircraft into its airspace, the foreign minister said. Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said late Tuesday that he will summon the Chinese ambassador to explain this breach of the Malaysian airspace and sovereignty.

Malaysia's air force had said on Tuesday that 16 Chinese military jets flew in a tactical formation over the South China Sea and nearly infringed on the country's airspace, calling it a threat to Malaysia's sovereignty. The air force said its radar picked up the jets flying in an in-trail formation near Malaysian airspace in eastern Sarawak state on Borneo on Monday.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea on historic grounds. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have overlapping claims, and tensions have ramped up since China built several man-made islands and turned them into military outposts. The strategically important area straddles some of the world's busiest sea lanes and is also rich in fisheries and may hold underground oil and natural gas reserves.


Malaysia said the jets then headed near Malaysian-administered Luconia Shoals, a rich fishing ground in the disputed South China Sea before moving nearly 60 nautical miles (110 kilometers) off the coast of Sarawak. After attempts to engage the jets failed, the air force said it sent planes to identify them. It found the planes were Ilyushin il-76 and Xian Y-20 strategic transporters flying at altitudes between 23,000 and 27,000 feet. The air force said it reported the flights to the foreign ministry.

This incident is a serious threat to national sovereignty and flight safety due to the air traffic density over the airways, it said in a statement.    source from
The high-stakes push is led by former TV presenter Yair Lapid (left), a secular centrist, who on Sunday won the crucial support of right-wing religious nationalist Naftali Bennett (right), a tech multi-millionaire
Israeli parties in race to build anti-Netanyahu coalition


Opposition has until a minute before midnight to cobble together administration to end Netanyahu’s 12-year rule.

June 2 - Israeli politicians battling to unseat veteran Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are racing against the clock on the final day of talks to build a governing coalition comprised of bitter ideological rivals.

They have until a minute before midnight (20:59 GMT) on Wednesday to cobble together an administration that would end 12 years of rule by Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.

The high-stakes push is led by former TV presenter Yair Lapid, a secular centrist, who on Sunday won the crucial support of right-wing religious nationalist Naftali Bennett, a tech multi-millionaire.


Lapid is planning to announce by 11:00am (08:00 GMT) on Wednesday that he can form a government, Israeli Channel 12 news reported late on Tuesday.

The Times of Israel reported Lapid’s goal is to have the Knesset speaker schedule a vote to swear in the new coalition on June 9.

In a major announcement on Wednesday morning, Lapid said his party agreed terms with the Defence Minister Benny Gantz’s centrist Blue and White party...     more

Related Articles;
Israel’s politics: What just happened, and what next?
Who is Naftali Bennett, Israel’s potential prime minister?
What we know about Israeli coalition that may oust Netanyahu
Israeli far-right leader Bennett joins anti-Netanyahu coalition

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An amateur boxer and martial artist who has also published a dozen books, Lapid was a newspaper columnist before becoming a presenter on Channel 2 TV, a role that boosted his stardom
Who is Yair Lapid, the opposition leader challenging Netanyahu

Lapid, 57, was known for his successful career as TV host before turning into a credible political player in 2013.

June  - A new coalition is challenging Israel’s longest-serving leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his far-right former ally Naftali Bennett announced he would join forces with former TV anchor-turned-politician Yair Lapid.

Lapid’s efforts to replace Netanyahu were already in play before negotiations for a new government were derailed by the most recent conflict on May 10.

Over 11 days, Israel intensively bombed the Gaza Strip while Hamas, the Palestinian group that rules the besieged enclave, shot rockets towards Israel.

Following an Egypt-brokered ceasefire on May 20, lawmakers kicked talks into high gear ahead of a Wednesday deadline where they have to present their coalition to parliament for a formal vote of confidence allowing it to take office.

Lapid now has the task of cementing bilateral deals with a wide range of different parties – from Israeli ultra-nationalists to members of the United Arab List party – to create what Israeli media has dubbed a bloc for “change”...     more

Related Articles:
End of Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu era may be near
‘Wake up screaming’: Gaza’s children traumatised by Israeli war
Israel FM arrives in Egypt for Gaza ‘permanent ceasefire’ talks
Would a government of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid really be a potential leftist disaster?
Bennett, Lapid in marathon talks to form anti-Netanyahu coalition

"It's all on Ayelet Shaked now. She's the only real issue left."

June 2 - The parties working on forming a new government reported significant progress overnight and almost all coalition deals have been finalized. 

One remaining sticking point remains Yamina MK Ayelet Shaked's request to join the judicial selection committee. "It's all on Ayelet Shaked now," a source at coalition talks told The Jerusalem Post. "She's the only real issue left."

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz ended his dispute in coalition talks Wednesday and gave his official approval for Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid to inform the president that the formation of a government is complete. Blue and White and Yesh Atid finalized coalition agreements Tuesday night...     more

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Chinese Virus | June 1, 2021

 2 - White House News in Chinese (weebly.com)

Russian servicemen stand next to a new S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile system after its deployment at a military base near Kaliningrad, Russia. 
Turkey to send Russian missile experts home in signal to US, Biden

June 1 - Turkey said it will send home Russian missile experts overseeing the S-400 air defense technology that has strained ties with the United States, addressing one of Washington’s concerns with the system while ruling out scrapping it altogether.

The remarks, which come ahead of a planned meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Joe Biden on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Brussels mid-June, signal Ankara’s readiness to compromise on one element of US concerns. Washington has said Turkey should end the presence of Russian personnel in the country to help with training and assembly of the missiles.

But Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who said the system would be under Turkish control when the experts left, reiterated Ankara would not budge on Washington’s broader demand to get rid of the missiles in order for related US sanctions to be lifted.


“The S-400s will be under our 100 percent control. We’ve sent many technicians for training. The Russian military experts won’t stay in Turkey,” Cavusoglu said on a visit to Greece, state-run TRT television reported Monday.
But he rejected US calls on Turkey not to activate the missiles. “It is not possible to accept calls from another country to not use them,” he said.

Cavusoglu said he would meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken either in Washington or Ankara before the leaders’ meeting.

Biden and the US Congress have both taken a hard line on Turkey, in part over its acquisition of the Russian S-400 missiles, which Washington says could gather intelligence on Western military capabilities including Lockheed Martin.     source from

Related Articles:
US pushing ahead, kicking Turkey out of F-35 program over Russian S-400s: Pentagon
Daniel Hoffman is a former Chief of Station with the Central Intelligence Agency. His combined 30 years of distinguished government service included high-level positions not only within the CIA, but also with the U.S. military, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Department of Commerce. Assignments included tours of duty in the former Soviet Union, Europe, and war zones in both the Middle East and South Asia. During this time, Hoffman developed substantive expertise on geopolitical and transnational issues related to the Middle East, South Asia, Russia, counterterrorism, and cyber and counter-intelligence.  He is currently a FOX News Contributor.     quoted from

Echoes of Russia reversal in the intelligence community's COVID origins probeAs early as May 2020, some in government believed lab-leak theory deserved more study, timeline shows.

June 1 - ...Daniel Hoffman, a retired CIA station chief, said Trump's instinct that the virus originated from a lab accident was likely right and that his White House team should have held the intelligence community's feet to the fire to get evidence more quickly.


"When Trump said what he did on the lab, he was vocalizing his intuition," Hoffman said. "It was up to his team in the White House to drive the IC to get the evidence to answer the question. I wish they could have done it more expeditiously."

Hoffman said the fact that U.S. intelligence still doesn't have a consensus on COVID's origins more than a year into the pandemic is a clear spy agency failure.

"We should have detected the threat when it first emerged in Wuhan," Hoffman said. "We failed, and that is how we got to the right of boom, and now it has visited our shores and caused so many deaths."

Fleitz said there is a broader problem in the intelligence community when it comes to matters involving chemical or biological weapons of mass destruction: a fear of being wrong and facing the wrath of liberal critics...     quoted from

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CHALLENGES FOR TAIWAN’S DEFENCE & ECONOMIC SECURITY AND ITS REQUIRED EFFORTS TO ENSURING A SUSTAINABLE PEACE

June 1 - ...Thus, as the US reassures its commitment to international liberal trade and freedom of navigation, FOIP would strengthen Taipei’s trade and commerce via the Taiwan Strait. As the US Navy war-ship sail and transit through the Taiwan Strait, it continues to provide some assurance for freedom of navigation, reflecting Washington’s firm commitment toward FOIP. Moreover, FOIP also allows Taiwan to increase its diplomatic engagements, such as taking part in Asia Pacific Security Dialogue or Taiwan-US-JAPAN Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue, which are ideal for bringing Taipei back in the international arena...     quoted from

拜登再炒病毒溯源 日本频越界打“台湾牌”?20210530 |《今日关注》CCTV中文国际
May 31, 2021

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European countries urge explanation on alleged U.S. spying on Merkel, officials

June 1 - BEIJING, June 1 (Xinhua) -- European countries demanded the United States and Denmark for an explanation as soon as possible on reports that the U.S. intelligence agency had used Danish infrastructure to spy on senior European officials, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The Danish Defense Intelligence Service (FE) has given the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) open internet access to spy on senior politicians of neighboring countries including Germany, Sweden, Norway, and France, Denmark's national broadcaster DR News reported on Sunday.

Danish Minister of Defense Trine Bramsen responded to media reports by sending an email to DR News, saying that the government will not "enter into speculation about any intelligence matters from the press or others ... systematic wiretapping of close allies is unacceptable."
F
rench President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that all must be clarified concerning reports on the U.S. spying and urged "complete transparency and resolution of the matter by our Danish and American partners."
This "is unacceptable between allies, even less between allies and European partners," Macron was quoted by French daily Le Monde following a French-German council of ministers.

Merkel said she "could only agree" with Macron's comments, adding she was "reassured" by Bramsen's condemnation of any such spying.

Besides Merkel, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the candidate for chancellor Peer Steinbrueck were among those the NSA had spied on, DR said...     more

1953 June

《查理布朗  第 零  上  上  上  上  上         集》
《查理布朗  第  零  下  下  三 下 下  
 下 下  集》
查理布朗老鼠

《花生漫畫》西元1953年六月/"Peanuts" on June 1, 1953
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《花生漫畫》西元1953年六月/"Peanuts" on June 2, 1953
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https://yaoleechen.wordpress.com/2021/06/01/1953-june/
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《花生漫畫》西元1953年六月/"Peanuts" on June 3, 1953
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https://yaoleechen.wordpress.com/2021/06/01/1953-june/
https://yaoleec.blogspot.com/2021/06/charlie-brown-violet-june-1-2021.html
https://yaoleechen.pixnet.net/blog/post/269634896
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《花生漫畫》西元1953年六月/"Peanuts" on June 4, 1953
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https://yaoleec.blogspot.com/2021/06/charlie-brown-violet-june-1-2021.html
https://yaoleechen.pixnet.net/blog/post/269634896
https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts-begins/1953/06/04
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《花生漫畫》西元1953年六月/"Peanuts" on June 5, 1953
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https://yaoleec.blogspot.com/2021/06/charlie-brown-violet-june-1-2021.html
https://yaoleechen.pixnet.net/blog/post/269634896
https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts-begins/1953/06/05
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《花生漫畫》西元1953年六月/"Peanuts" on June 6, 1953
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https://smashwords2.weebly.com/3.html
https://yaoleechen.wordpress.com/2021/06/01/1953-june/
https://yaoleec.blogspot.com/2021/06/charlie-brown-violet-june-1-2021.html
https://yaoleechen.pixnet.net/blog/post/269634896
https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts-begins/1953/06/06
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/373798837830507449/
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Mischief Reef |Mar. 25

  WH keeping public in dark on what Biden demanded of China’s Xi over arming Putin​ Mar. 18 - The White House was tight-lipped Friday about ...