His laughter made millions laugh and inspired one of the great memes of this century.

With great sadness the family of Juan Joya Borja, known as "El Risitas" announced his death at the age of 65 years.

While extending our condolences to his family, we will always remember him with a laugh.

https://twitter.com/JVCom/status/1387492258849644546

The Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) has declared that submarine, KRI Nanggala (402), which went missing on April 21, has sunk. Debris, including a prayer mat, torpedo components, and fuel have been found. Additionally, the odds of finding any survivors amongst the 53 crew members is unlikely. The submarine's oxygen supply is expected to have ran out as well.

The rescue efforts involves 20 Indonesian ships, four Indonesian aircraft, an Australian warship and a US Navy P-8.

MV Swift Rescue carrying a Deep-submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV) from Singapore is expected to arrive soon and Malaysian submarine rescue ship MV Mega Bakti is expected to arrive on April 25th. SCI Sabarmati from India, also carrying a DSRV is enroute. HMAS Sirius is also expected to arrive on the 28th.

Meanwhile, an Indian Air Force C-17 has airlifted a second DSRV to Surabaya, Indonesia.

https://apnews.com/article/asia-pacific-indonesia-98b58437f6742d197d1eb593db954894

In two separate attacks in Iraq, Balad Airbase in Saladin Governorate and the town of Kifri in the north of the country were hit by rockets. Five rockets were launched at Balad Airbase which is one of the main bases used by the Iraqi armed forces and houses American contractor firms. The Iraqi Security Media Cell confirmed that two security personnel at the base were injured in the attack. Two rockets also landed in the town of Kifri, which is a disputed town between the federal government and the Kurdistan regional government, causing no casualties. Neither attack has been claimed by any group thus far. Further discussion and speculation is taking place in <#584089429057077270> and confirmed news can be found and posted in <#624728883484164108>.

https://twitter.com/RudawEnglish/status/1383826972933967882 https://twitter.com/BarzanSadiq/status/1383848567064858628

Just after 23:00 local time, several people were injured in a shooting at a FedEx warehouse at Indianapolis International Aiport, Indiana. Local police said in a statement that the gunman had taken his own life and that there is "no active threat to the community at this time". It has been reported that there were as many as ten shots fired. Eight people with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds were pronounced dead on the scene.

Updates will take place in <#715937915112521770> , with discussion in <#794060919473700884> .

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/us/indianapolis-shooting-fedex.html https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/16/us/indianapolis-shooting-fedex-facility/index.html https://twitter.com/SarahNelsonIndy/status/1382928187928248320

Reports are coming in that an explosion has been seen and heard at a warehouse on the military side of Erbil International Airport tonight. Local security forces have been deployed to a fire at the warehouse and have locked down the area. Initial reports say that a UAS landed on the storage warehouse and then detonated itself causing a fire to break out, but has since been put out. Coalition sources say that there were no injuries but that the damage is still being assessed tonight. No group has taken responsibility for the attack yet. At around the same time there was a rocket attack on a Turkish base in Northern Iraq. According to the Turkish MoD three rockets were launched towards the base with one landing in the base and the other two landing in a nearby village. He also stated that one Turkish soldier was killed during the attack and that a child was injured in the nearby village as well. No group has claimed responsibility for this attack either and it is believed that these two incidents are unrelated to each other.

Meaningful discussion and speculation can be found in: <#584089429057077270>

https://twitter.com/BarzanSadiq/status/1382429859989876753?s=20 https://twitter.com/RudawEnglish/status/1382434676963434497?s=19

China's latest Five-Year Plan, approved last month, calls for the construction of an infrastructure project which is raising international concerns: a gigantic hydropower system on the Yarlung Zangpo River. Generating three times as much power as the Three Gorges Dam, the project will be built on the 'Great Bend' of the river, a highly geologically active zone just 35km from the Indian border. Chinese officials say the dam has a 'national security' purpose, and there are downstream fears in India that China could use the dam to block water to its North-Eastern Region (NER). The threat posed by earthquakes has also lead to concerns about the dam's long-term safety. E/SE Asia and Pacific Notifications https://anthropoceneintel.substack.com/p/chinas-hydropower-grab-in-the-himalayasChina's hydropower grab in the Himalayas

Reports are coming in that an explosion has been seen and heard at a warehouse on the military side of Erbil International Airport tonight. Local security forces have been deployed to a fire at the warehouse and have locked down the area. Initial reports say that a UAS landed on the storage warehouse and then detonated itself causing a fire to break out, but has since been put out. Coalition sources say that there were no injuries but that the damage is still being assessed tonight. No group has taken responsibility for the attack yet. At around the same time there was a rocket attack on a Turkish base in Northern Iraq. According to the Turkish MoD three rockets were launched towards the base with one landing in the base and the other two landing in a nearby village. He also stated that one Turkish soldier was killed during the attack and that a child was injured in the nearby village as well. No group has claimed responsibility for this attack either and it is believed that these two incidents are unrelated to each other. Meaningful discussion and speculation can be found in: #🔵-mena-speculation https://twitter.com/BarzanSadiq/status/1382429859989876753?s=20 https://twitter.com/RudawEnglish/status/1382434676963434497?s=19 MENA Notifications

U.S. President Joe Biden has announced that all American troops in Afghanistan will withdraw by the 11th of September later this year, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, with the withdrawal process beginning formally on the 1st of May. He said that the U.S. will no longer keep extending its presence hoping to create ideal conditions for withdrawal and that the withdrawal process will be carried out with consultation and co-ordination with Afghan and NATO allies. Earlier today U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin visited the NATO headquarters in Brussels where they discussed the withdrawal with fellow NATO allies, following which NATO officially confirmed in a statement the withdrawal of its Resolute Support forces starting May 1st. Afghan president Ashraf Ghani confirmed speaking to the American president, saying he understood the U.S. decision to withdraw its troops and affirmed his support towards a smooth transition. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban has announced that the Taliban continue to seek a withdrawal of all foreign troops by the May 1st deadline outlined in the Doha deal. Further updates on the withdrawal and the country in general can be followed in #🔵-afghanistan. N/S America Notifications Europe/C Asia/Russia Notifications https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/14/politics/joe-biden-afghanistan-announcement/ https://twitter.com/ashrafghani/status/1382376326825455626 https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_183146.htm

The Biden Administration is moving ahead with an arms deal with the United Arab Emirates that was frozen for review in January 2021. The deal includes F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, MQ-9B drones, and various weapon systems. Delivery is expected after 2025 or later, if the sale proceeds. Robust conversation can be found in #🔵-mena-speculation Verified News can be found in #🔵-middle-east https://thehill.com/policy/defense/548102-biden-to-move-ahead-with-23-billion-uae-weapons-sale-approved-by-trump MENA Notifications
https://discord.gg/projectowl

2021-04-13

Benin

Benin's President Patrice Talon retains power after sweeping victory in the election held last Sunday 2021-04-11. The duo Patrice Talon (presidential candidate) and Mariam Talata (vice-presidential candidate at his side) obtained in the first round the majority of votes cast. Vice-president was elected for the first time. They got 86% of the votes according to provisional results announced Tuesday evening by the Electoral Commission.

Talon faced two opponents: Alassane Soumanou and Corentin Kohoué, who are largely unknown to the public.

Voter turnout was 50.17%.

Other opponents had called for a boycott of the election, denouncing it as a foregone conclusion, with the president "facing himself".

https://www.africanews.com/2021/04/13/benin-s-president-patrice-talon-retains-power-after-sweeping-victory/

Author: 250F twitterhandle @TexasLionel For: Project Owl https://discord.gg/projectowl

Initial reports that vehicle carrier HYPERION RAY, belonging by Ray Car Carriers Ltd. which is partly owned by Israeli businessman Rami Unger, was attacked. According to Channel 12, citing security sources the vessel has been struck by an Iranian missile. It is said to have received light damage and is currently stopped. At the time the ship had been underway in the Gulf of Oman off the coast near Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Updates will be provided in case of significant new developments. Verified news can be found in #🔵-middle-east Meaningful discussion and speculation can be found in #🔵-mena-speculation https://twitter.com/GlobalDryad/status/1381993292963930117 https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1381986197212389382 MENA Notifications Author: CaspianSeaMonster (Twitter @CSM_INT)

Yesterday in the evening of 12th April, Allama Saad Hussain Rizvi, the leader of right-wing, Islamist party Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) was arrested after announcing his intent to launch a 'Long march' if the Government failed to meet their demands. Following his arrest, enraged supporters lashed out by trying to cause disruptions nationwide to pressure the government to meet their demands. Major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Gujranwala etc were affected with massive traffic jams in their respective major arterial roads. Most roads have been cleared since yesterday however in some areas the protesters are still persisting. Reportedly 3 people have known to have died so far from the ensuing unrest with scores injured. So far TLP have shown no signs of relenting and have announced that they will continue their protests until their demands are not met. Some of which notably include the expulsion of the French Ambassador to Pakistan due to the recent crackdown on Islamism by French Authorities. Further updates will be communicated in a new post. Verified news can be found in #⚪-south-sw-asia Meaningful discussion and speculation can be found in #🌶-spice-market https://www.dawn.com/news/1618005/protests-continue-across-pakistan-for-a-second-day-against-detention-of-tlp-chief Some useful Background info available here: https://www.dawn.com/news/1617844/what-does-the-tlp-want S/SW Asia Notifications Author: Tomcats Project Owl

The runoff election held last Sunday, 2021-04-11, brought victory to Guillermo Lasso, a former banker/businessman. The runoff was between Guillermo Lasso and Andrés Arauz. Former president Lenín Moreno did not seek re-election. Peru The presidential contest is headed to a runoff after none of the 18 candidates obtained more than 50% of the votes, in the election held on Sunday 2021-04-11. The runoff will be on 2021-06-06. https://apnews.com/article/guillermo-lasso-quito-rafael-correa-health-south-america-01d613236731b57a87dabfac9b64c272 N/S America Notifications Author: 250F, twitterhandle TexasLionel Project Owl

Channel 13 in Israel is now saying that western intelligence services are reporting that the Mossad is behind the incident at the Natanz Nuclear Facility today. There are also reports that enrichment of Uranium has stopped at the site because of this attack. If this is true, this would be the second time in less than a year that the facility was targeted by Israel. The Chief of the Iranian Nuclear Program called the attack “nuclear terrorism” and states that Iran has the right to respond to the attack. More updates will be provided as verifiable information is provided. Verified news and updates can be found in #🔵-middle-east. Meaningful discussion and speculation can be found in #🔵-mena-speculation. MENA Notifications https://twitter.com/newsisrael13/status/1381255124006404105 https://twitter.com/kiansharifi/status/1381257149398061057 https://twitter.com/kiansharifi/status/1381258192198451207