Greater Middle EastBoard

RTNC - Radio-Télévision Nationale Congolaise
Guess Who’s Back, Back Again

Ebola cases in western Congo have risen to 60 with funerals a particular concern for the spread of the disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.

WHO emergencies expert Mike Ryan said another three cases were detected at the weekend, making a total of 56 confirmed and four probable infections in an outbreak announced last month in Congo’s Kundu state.

"The disease is active, not controlled," Ryan told a virtual briefing from the UN agency's headquarters in Geneva, noting burial practices as a worry.

The outbreak is Congo’s 11th since Ebola was identified in 1976.

Kundu state includes part of the River Congo, a large geographical area where communities are linked across, and people travel long distances.

It is spreading from Mbandaka's urban centre to surrounding remote villages in forests along the Congo River, some of which can only be accessed by canoe or all-terrain vehicles.

A separate outbreak of Ebola in Boa-Mba and Lega states of eastern Congo was declared over last month. That epidemic, the second-largest on record, saw 3,463 confirmed and probable cases and 2,277 deaths over two years.

Health Minister Eteni Longondo called "the longest, most complex and deadliest" outbreak in the country's history.

The two epidemics have no common viral strain, according to the WHO.

The virus is passed on by contact with the blood, body fluids, secretions or organs of an infected or recently deceased person. The death rate is typically high, ranging up to 90 percent in some outbreaks.

The Congo is facing a measles outbreak that has killed more than 6,000 people since early last year, as well as recurring flare-ups of cholera and malaria. It is also struggling with the new coronavirus, with 8,249 cases including 193 fatalities.

WHO officials worry that because of these competing health crises, there could be a lack of funding for the Ebola epidemic.

Pars News Agency - Trabzon

Afsharid Investment Fund purchases Turkish football club Trabzonspor

Following His Imperial Majesty Ardeshir Shah's visit to The Turkish-State for the Istanbul Olympics, it was announced that the Afsharid Investment Fund (AIF), had finalized a deal in Trabzon to purchase the local football team Trabzonspor, which finished the current Turkish Super Lig season at 3rd in the overall standings. The Shah, who heads the Afsharid Investment Fund, was pictured with club officials today at Trabzon holding a jersey with his name on the back.

The move comes as a surprise to many. When it comes to football club ownership, Afsharid Persia currently lags behind many of its rivals in the Persian Gulf. Over the past two decades, Arab billionaires have purchased European football clubs such as Hull City, Malaga, and others. By far the most significant acquisitions have been Paris St. Germain (PSG), bought by Trucial qatari royalty in 2011, and Manchester City, owned by the United arabian emirati Sheikh Mansour since September 2008. With many of Europe’s biggest clubs being owned by foreign states, the stage is set for Afsharid Persia to join in.

Though Trabzonspor may pale in comparison to the clubs owned by other states south of the Persian Gulf, the move could be seen as one of caution by the AIF, who seem to be testing the waters first before they jump right in, especially in a friendly and familiar environment such as Turkey. If the purchase proves profitable, we may see more prominent acquisitions in the near future.

Following the purchase, His Imperial Majesty took to Twitter to give a welcoming message to the fans of his new team:

"I am pleased to be a part of the Trabzonspor family, and am happy to announce our new partnership. The fans of Trabzonspor are one of the best fan bases in Turkey, and they have waited far too long for a title win. I will try my best to ensure that the club reaches its rightful place among the Turkish club giants. I have some big plans coming up with big news in the near future which I'm sure will delight the fans of this wonderful club," said the Shah on his personal Twitter account.

The exact details of the purchase have not yet been disclosed, but it would appear that the Afsharid Invest Fund has fully purchased the club and owns 100% of the stakes.

Thursday, July 20th, 2020

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Pars News Agency - Tehran

Tehran prepares for the arrival of Afghan and Tajik leaders

Prime Minister Arash Damavandi has announced that he will be meeting with the leaders of Tajik-stan and Islamic State of Afghanistan in Tehran later this week. The announcement comes after news of the Prime Minister having a phone call with Tajik Supreme Leader Tahmaseb Abdulayev.

Many have said this visit comes to no surprise, as closer relations with Afghanistan and Tajikistan were to be expected with Prime Minister Damavandi's election victory, who ran as a member of the Pan-Iranist Party. The new shift to closer relations with the two countries had been witnessed prior to this announcement as well, especially in regards to the aggressive Persian backing of Afghanistan in their dispute with The pakistan state.

The leaders are set to arrive sometime next week after the end of Eid al-Adha celebrations in all three countries.

Friday, July 31st, 2020

ZAFTA News Agency / Wikalat 'Anba' ZAFTA

Gregorian: 1st August 2020
Hijri: 11 Dhu al-Hijjah 1441

Balochi Separatists Attack Stock Exchange in Karachi


By Zurib Sajjadi

KARACHI, ZAQURISTAN --- A group of armed men have stormed the stock exchange located in Karachi on Friday. The attack claimed the lives of at least four guards of the facility, one policeman, and one civilian inside. All four attackers succumbed to their wounds after the facility guards returned fire. This is the only attack so far this year to take place in the city.

The attackers arrived on the scene with a pickup truck and started by throwing a hand grenade inside the building, before opening fire with automatic rifles. All four of them were heavily armed, but the local security forces managed to thwart the attack before the situation got out of hand.

The Balochi Liberation Army, a group on the terror lists of the -united-states of america-, Lyonhall, and The Imperial State of Afsharid Persia, has claimed responsibility for the attack. It is the largest one of the many Balochi terrorist groups trying to carve out their own statelet in the southwestern province of Baluchistan. In addition, they are also active across the border in the province of Sistan and Baluchistan in Afsharid Persia.

The insurgency has been ongoing since the 70s on some form or the other. Violence and attacks have been less successful and frequent after the Frontier Corps, a paramilitary force of the Zaquri Ministry of Interior, was introduced into the province to fight militant groups. The use of drones has also attributed to the diminishing presence of the terrorist groups.

People's Shield Phase Two | Tai People's Liberation Army Armoured Forces 2021

Khon Kaen has inked a major military arms deal with Moscow, days after Siam finalized their own second phase of their rearmament plan with the United States. This particular purchase is believed to be part of the TPLA's long-term modernization plans, dubbed People's Shield 2030 by the Siamese press and observers of the Thai States, of which little has been revealed. The $1.85 billion dollar deal will be split between 2020 and 2021 and paid entirely in Eurasian rubles, according to the Channel 47, the nation's premier state media agency, and will involve the delivery of 600 T-90S and 140 additional T-90MS tanks. The switch to a more advanced model follows leaks from TPLA headquarters regarding the 'adequate, but not outstanding' performance of the batch of 100 second-hand T-72B3Ms purchased earlier in 2019, now assigned to units on the Cambodian frontier, largely regarded by many as a second-line posting. In total, the plan will add 740 tanks to the TPLA's existing 496 tanks, which have all been acquired via purchases and aid programs in 2020 and 2019, bringing the TPLA's armoured force up to 1,236, five times that of the currently planned fleet size of the Royal Siamese Army of 200, consisting M1A1s and A2s. Also stated within Channel 47's broadcast on the matter was Khon Kaen's intent to utilize the thousand-strong tank force, almost completely modern and one of the largest in the region, to support defensive efforts of Pattaya Alliance members within the same region from external threat along with the other arms of the TPLA. A separate deal for a hundred ex-Eurasian Army Msta SPGs worth $200 million, also paid in Rubles, was confirmed a few hours later. A spokesman for the TPLA questioned by Bangkok Post confirmed talks were also underway to acquire additional bridge-laying, recovery and ammunition vehicles to support the Russian armour.

The TPLA's rapidly growing capabilities are seen as a clear threat to Bangkok, which is struggling to modernize the Siamese military to an appropriate degree to counter the overwhelming superiority of the People's Army, current efforts severely mired by expensive prices of cutting-edge western equipment, a smaller and older population base, as well as significantly higher standards of recruitment and pay. Further issues are also plaguing the Siamese on the diplomatic front, with the current hiatus on military exchanges with Japan following the latter's acension to the Pattaya Alliance and sales of warships to China as well as the 'tightening of the noose' around Siam, with neighbouring South East Asian powers joining the aforementioned Alliance. A response is not expected from Siam within the week, however, as the bureaucracy and politicians busy themselves with the General Elections.

The Great Expanses

France 24 English Edition


 

2nd August, 2020

France, Germany sign contract to develop fighter jet prototype

|PARIS - France and Germany signed a 150 million euro ($161.84 million) deal today to develop a prototype of the next generation fighter jet, a project seen as vital for Europe to defend itself without relying on allies in an increasingly uncertain world. Dassault Aviation <AVMD,PA> and Airbus will build the aircraft, which is expected to be operational from 2040 with a view to replacing Dassault’s Rafale and Germany’s Eurofighter warplanes over time. “This is a very ambitious project between France and Germany” Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly told reporters after a signing ceremony with his counterparts from the other two countries. “It will enable our nations to face the threats and challenges in the second half of the 21st century ... and illustrates our will and ambition for a European defense.” The National Assembly approved financing for the project last week . The new Future Combat Air System’s (SCAF) contract includes the initial research and technology for the prototype aircraft, the engine, drones to accompany the warplane and an air combat cloud.The prototype will see a total investment of about 4 billion euros before it is completed in 2026. Production of the jet is due to begin in 2040. Dassault and Airbus will build the fighter jet. Safranand MTU Aero Engines will develop the engine. Airbus and MBDA will work on the drones. Airbus and Thales SA are in charge of the digital aspects.
The World's Largest Fusion Reactor Finally Begins Assembly

|PROVENCE - The truly massive International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) has entered its years-long assembly phase. The fusion reactor has millions of individual parts that will eventually form the world's largest tokamak, a plasma reactor where extremely hot, charged plasma creates the conditions necessary for atoms to fuse and release considerable amounts of energy. While ITER is one of a handful of very costly “miniature suns” in development around the world, it’s arguably the bellwether for self-sustaining fusion, given the seven countries that share its high cost and are invested in its success.Before this week’s landmark, ITER partners and contractors around the world have already spent years ramping up to assembly, from beginning to make the millions of parts to assembling and installing the reactor’s base earlier this year. Many components must be manufactured and partially assembled in their home countries before being carefully transported and finalized at the ITER facility. The “assembly phase” landmark is, therefore, more like a “groundbreaking” ceremony—ITER has had huge plans in the works for decades, and it’s finally about to start coming together in physical form. Everything for ITER has been custom-built, including the building where it will sit in Provence, France and the road that leads there from the nearest body of water. After 35 years of brainstorming, planning, and preproduction, ITER says assembly will take five years, starting now.

It’s a big step on the path toward 2025, when ITER says all the core parts of the reactor will be installed, fully integrated, and ready to produce its first plasma. That November—to mark the 40th anniversary of Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev’s historic U.S.-Soviet Geneva summit—the reactor will begin a monthlong process of heating up to 150 million degrees Celsius, with a trio of heating elements pulling a combined 50MW of power, enough for about 10,000 homes. That will bring the plasma to a temperature 10 times greater than the sun’s in the doughnut-shaped reactor to generate as much as 500MW of energy for brief bursts. This will take place inside a cryostat, which is the chamber that will hold the entire reactor. It’s fitted onto the base that’s there now, and its job is to bring the components inside down to an extremely cold temperature and keep them there. The plasma donut swirling inside the reactor is contained in a “touchless” way by a magnetic field, but everything around it must be temperature shielded and cooled to ensure smooth and safe operation. That includes the structural magnets, which are held at cryogenically cold temperatures—just a few degrees above absolute zero. Like a traditional nuclear fission plant, the reactor is cooled by water, but it’s also full of constantly replenished thermal shields and redundant cooling materials to continue to transfer heat out at all times. That all might sound extraordinary, but the real science miracle of ITER is the plasma chamber.Inside the reactor, plasma is kept flowing by superconducting electromagnets made of encircling coils of wire. A solenoid—basically a giant cavatappi pasta coiled into a donut—is centered inside a vacuum chamber, and small correctors and add-ons made from superconductors help to ensure the plasma flows within the donut shape without bursting out. (With tokamaks, the high energy cost to bring them up to temperature and plasma operation means that a “disruption,” or any event where the plasma leaks and potentially damages the shielding, is a big setback.) The member nations making parts for the 23,000-ton tokamak are planning and designing these parts as they go, including accommodating the even greater complexity of making such a big version of a high-risk reaction. They plan to switch ITER’s reactor on for the first time in December 2025, when the first plasma reaction will last just a few milliseconds to indicate that the fully integrated plant is ready for operation. After that, ITER will have several more years to fine tune and approach full plasma generation by its goal of 2030.

The House of Mongols has taken a desicion to increase gdp growth rate from -1.3% to -0.3% as the House plans to implement plans to attract more foreign investors to do foreign buisnesses in the following ways.

The Mongolian Government will undertake the biggest project ever by developing the city of Choibalsan as a Special economic zone and there will be lower restrictions on the foreign companies to do buisness there by 2030 and is expecting the help of Zhen dynasty in this project.

The Mongolian Government will buy shares in 3 foreign companies and invest in them by 2023.

It also plans to increase the number of hospitals by 40% and reduce unemployment even further by 2027.

These will take a combined budget of 5-15bn dollars and a huge labour supply.

German interests in the Far East

It has recently been revealed that Germany and China several months ago were in discussions for cooperation in the fields of energy, sustainability and climate change combat. Having fallen out due to the invasion of Myanmar, which Berlin condemned to be unlawful. After this event the relationship between the West and China deteriorated heavily, Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that whilst this is the case, she hopes to pursue Berlin-Beijing relations in the future. Though this statement also looks at the Asia-Pacific as a whole, including the Middle East and the Pacific. Which Berlin believes to be the new region of mass economic growth.

Major German corporations that will be opening its new Asia-Pacific headquarter in the future capital of Indonesia, include Mercedes, Volkswagen and Siemens. From where operations in the entire Asia-Pacific will be centralised. Volkswagen has also taken initiative in forming an Indonesia branch that will head the development and production of automobile for the Southeast market. Idina Becker-Schmitt who will be charged with setting up the new Indonesia branch, Volkswagen Indonesien has stated,

"We want to expand our market to the globe, and Asia is going to be the next big market, and will undoubtedly surpass both Europe and the United States in the coming decades. We need to learn how to take advantage of this, and we do this by setting up a branch that would allow us to develop vehicles suited to the Far East. The best way to do that is by looking to the Indonesians to, and have them take the lead, to expand our products for Indonesia and its neighbours. Volkswagen Indonesia will have access to the engineers and the man power of Indonesia, something we believe the country will lead in within the next decade."

Condolences to the Turkish nation

After the Istanbul Bombing took the lives of 2,000 people, the German Far Right would use the attack to leverage against the entry of Sahurian refugees into the country, as current discussion for increasing the refugee quota go on. Party members of Alternative for Germany and Christian Social Union in Bavaria, have made the same messages, alluding to the correlation between Islamic Extremism and the refugee populations. Dirk Dohman former member of the Alternative for Germany, and current leader of the far right, Liberate Germany Party made a statement that condemned Sahurian refugees for bringing terror to all the places they go.

"Merkel believes the risk to the German people is greater the needs of a people of a different state ... If the Sahurians can do that to their own Islamic brethren, and to a people who have found great success in a region filled with turmoil and conflict, then how can we trust the Sahurians here in Germany. You simply cannot. I want my grandchildren to be raised in a German nation, with German peoples and ideals, and not in a country where the Christian values of this country is in fear of offending peoples we have to host due to their own nation being volatile ... Believe when I say that I am not against immigration, it is important that we accept people, but when they move to Germany, they have to stand for our ideals, our values. They themselves have to become German, and speak the German language. Let us take refugees, but only the ones that are willing to Christianise. Til then, this refugee crisis, is not a crisis for the Sahurian people, but for Christian Europe."

Many on both sides of the political spectrum took against the statement made by Dohman, with Merkel herself calling it inappropriate to make such statements whilst a nation mourns. Even members of the Alternative for Germany have called Dohman's words poorly timed. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, would go on to criticise Marine Le Pen of France for also speaking out against the Sahurian refugees, saying that the focus should have been on Istanbul, and not on the crisis at hand. Dohman would go on to say that all those that criticised him were weak minded and did not have German interest at heart, stating that there is a point for which Germany can be charitable, til it can be taken advantaged off. Although despite Germans and Germany officially condemning all those that have decide to make xenophobic statements against Sahurian refugees, such as Marine Le Pen and Peter Dutton who said in a tweet that:

"In the Middle East, the language of war is the only language they understand. It’s not surprising then that when refugees flee, they take their barbaric ways with them."
@PeterDutton

Many Germans are beginning to slowly turn against the idea of more refugees, fearing that what happened in Istanbul would happen in German cities. But still the debate continues, as thousands are deported from Turkey, many Germans still believe that Sahurians can be peacefully integrated into German society.

I24 News International

Latest Iron Dome Batteries to be deployed

The Ministry of Defense and the Office of the Prime Minister have announced the latest series of Iron Dome Batteries have completed construction, and are set to be deployed across Israel, this expansion comes after the the recent expansion of the Iron Dome Defense System the expansions aim to to further increase the protection of Israeli citizens, settlements, infrastructure, and personnel from threats in Egypt and the Gaza Strip. The exact number of new batteries to be deployed across Israel remains a military secret.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the new Iron Dome Project came under budget and ahead of schedule. The Ministry of Defense, and Prime Minister Netanyahu credit the expediency to the men and women of the IDF and the Defense Industry and their hard work.

The Office of the Prime Minister and IDF have stated following this announcement their intent to begin work on expanding Israels Anti-Ballistic Defensive systems. The Ministry of Finance and Office of the Prime Minister have released a plan that would include Israel spending approximately $700 Million USD (₪2.2 Billion ISL) on an expanded arsenal of Arrow 3 Anti-Ballistic Missiles and Barak 8 Surface to Air Missile Systems. (It will be and expansion of around 160 Arrow 3s and 10 Barak 8 Systems)

Latest IDF Ships enter service

The INS Herzl, INS Ben-Gurion, and INS Freedom have formally entered Service with the Israeli Navy. The ships, know as the Founder and Freedom Class Corvettes we acquired from the United States several months ago, and have over the past 6 weeks been undergoing a process of testing and integration into the IDF Naval Forces.

The INS Herzl and INS Ben-Gurion, are of the 'Founder Class Corvettes' formally the American Freedom Class of Corvette. Over the past 6 weeks they have been undergoing retrofitting and minor upgrades, most notably the IDF has spent the past 6 weeks outfitting them with the Sea-Based Iron Dome Systems.

The INS Freedom, formally the USS Independence has spent the last 6 weeks being used to train IDF Naval personnel in the use of American Naval ships, given the majority of IDF ships are German-Israeli in orgin the IDF had reported their would be a learning curve in the US of American naval technology.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the launch of Israels newest ships himself, declaring it a 'Victory' for Israel and its future defensive abilities in the Mediterranean and the wider Middle East.