MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Russia on Wednesday evacuated more than 2,000 people from nearby villages after a wildfire set off explosions at a munitions depot in the Ryazan region southeast of Moscow, officials said. More than 400 firefighters were battling into the evening to extinguish a blaze that broke out at the depot on Wednesday afternoon, with the authorities saying five people were injured but no one died. The fire was sparked by a wildfire […]
Tag: army
US bases on Okinawa locked down over virus spike
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Two US Marine bases in Japan’s Okinawa have been put into lockdown after dozens of coronavirus infections, with local officials criticising the American military’s containment efforts. Additional restrictions are also in place at the seven other Marine bases in the region after the spike in cases, a spokesman confirmed. There are tens of thousands of US servicemen stationed on the southern Japanese island, which has recorded roughly 150 civilian COVID-19 […]
PHL Army sends medical team to Cebu
(Eagle News)–The Philippine Army has sent a medical team to Cebu, where authorities said COVID-19 cases have continued to increase. The Army said the team–composed of two doctors, two nurses, and two medical aidmen–were sent on Sunday to “augment the need of additional health-care workers addressing the COVID-19 cases in the city.” Prior to their departure, members of the team underwent swab testing and were given flu vaccination. Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who oversees the […]
Russia holds grand WWII parade ahead of vote on Putin reforms
by Jonathan BROWN Agence France-Presse MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Columns of tanks and troops will parade through Red Square on Wednesday as President Vladimir Putin oversees grand World War II commemorations to stir up patriotic fervour ahead of a vote on extending his rule. Forced to postpone the country’s traditional May 9 Victory Day celebrations by the coronavirus pandemic, Putin rescheduled the parade for just a week ahead of a July 1 public vote on […]
PHL Army seizes high-powered firearms, ammo in separate ops vs rebels in Mindanao
(Eagle News)–The Philippine Army has seized high-powered firearms and ammunition in separate operations against rebels in Mindanao. The Army said AK47 rifle, an M14 rifle, an M16 rifle, an M1 Garand rifle were recovered by the 23rd Infantry Battalion from Sitio Likudon Barangay Kamanikan Gingoog City, Misamis on Thursday, June 11. Also recovered were communication devices such as cellphones and a laptop. The Army said the high-powered firearms and other items were recovered after two […]
PHL Army has new provost marshal
(Eagle News)–The Philippine Army has a new provost marshal. Col. Randy O. Remonte took over the helm of the Office of the Army Provost Marshal in a change of chief of office ceremony on Wednesday, June 10. Remonte replaced Col. Medel M. Aguilar. According to the Philippine Army, Remonte served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and as commanding officer of the 4th Disaster Response Battalion, both of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division. […]
PHL Army has new Aviation Regiment commander
(Eagle News)–The Philippine Army has a new Aviation Regiment commander. Col. Andre Santos assumed the post from Col. Jesus Rico D. Atencio in a live-streamed ceremony presided over by Army Chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay on Thursday, May 28. The regiment has been instrumental in conducting aerial reconnaissance and in the government’s COVID-19 efforts, the Army said. Santos, a member of PMA Class 1992, previously served as Director of Land Warfare Center, Training and […]
Malaysia to deploy army to enforce virus restrictions
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AFP) — Malaysia will deploy the army to support the police in enforcing tough restrictions to halt the spread of the coronavirus because many people are flouting isolation rules, a minister said Friday. People have been told to stay at home and all schools and most businesses have closed, while Malaysians are barred from traveling overseas and foreigners from entering the country. But some are ignoring the measures introduced this week, with […]
Trump issues pardons in US war crimes cases
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump on Friday pardoned a former soldier convicted of murder and a Green Beret charged with killing a suspected Taliban bomb-maker, defying warnings that the move would be an abuse of the powers afforded him under the US Constitution. Trump dismissed a second degree murder conviction against Army First Lieutenant Clint Lorance, who is six years into a 19-year term for ordering soldiers in 2012 to fire […]
Chile orders new curfew as violent protests rage
by Barnaby CHESTERMAN SANTIAGO, Chile (AFP) — Chile ordered an overnight curfew for the third day in a row as violent protests and looting that left 11 people dead over the weekend raged on into the working week. Army general Javier Iturriaga announced the curfew would last from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am as protests originally against a hike in metro fares turned into anger at President Sebastian Pinera and the military. Iturriaga insisted the […]
Remains of one of 2 suicide bombers identified by family; Filipino suspect has Abu Sayyaf ties, says army
A Filipino militant is suspected of carrying out an apparent suicide bombing last week in the southern Philippines, an army general said Tuesday, a grim first for the insurgency-plagued nation. Philippine targets have been struck in the past in rare instances of suicide attacks, but this would be first believed to have been carried out by a Filipino. The bombing Friday of a military base on the southern island of Jolo killed at least five […]
Japan’s Okinawa to vote on controversial US base move
Residents of Japan’s Okinawa go to the polls Sunday in a closely watched referendum on the controversial relocation of a US military base to a remote part of the island. The vote is seen as highly symbolic but is also non-binding, raising questions about what effect it will have, even if opponents of the move, including Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki, prevail. The ballot will ask residents whether they support a plan to reclaim land at […]





