MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 9 October 2018

#CANinIRQ – Op IMPACT

• “Exclusive: Canadian member of Islamic State caught, but RCMP struggle to lay charges against ISIS fighters”
• “ISIS Terrorist From Canada Captured By Kurdish Forces, Could Go Free If He Returns To This Country” (Spencer Fernando blog)
• “Russia is Winning the Information War in Iraq and Syria: UK General — Moscow is “better than us” in using social media to shape the strategic landscape, says a former deputy commander of the West’s anti-ISIS coalition …”

Way Up North

• “String of radar stations in Canadian Arctic nearly obsolete — and modernizing them will cost billions”
• “Advancing Arctic sovereignty”
• “As Arctic flotilla enters Barents Sea, it is joined by FSB Coast Guard”
• “New (RUS) state commission takes on Putin’s big plan for the Arctic”
• “Russia invites India to join the work in Arctic and to develop oil fields in its territory”
• “Britain and NATO Prepare for War on Russia in the Arctic” (pro-RUS think tank)

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “Ukraine Launches Air Exercises With NATO Countries”
• “DPR warns airlines to use caution in western Ukraine’s airspace” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Some 12,000 evacuated due to fire and blasts at ammo depot in Chernihiv region – Emergencies Service”
• “Explosions At Ukrainian Ammo Depot Light Up The Sky, Thousands Evacuated”
• “Thousands Evacuated As Blasts, Blaze Rip Through Ukraine Ammo Dump”
• “Blast at Ukraine’s Ichnia ammo depot: Defense Ministry finds four places of explosion”
• “Thousands evacuated after explosions at ammo depot in Ukraine’s north – media”
• “Ukraine launches air-force war games”
• “”Nobody Wants Us”: The Alienated Civilians of Eastern Ukraine” (International Crisis Group)
• “Pasechnik: No way Ukrainain authority can be restored in Donbass” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE

• “Cybersecurity and defence exercise underway in Lithuania” (LTU MoD)
• “Baltic States Between Peace And War”
• “Latvia accuses Russia of cyber attacks”
• “Latvia election results sparks EU crisis warning as pro-Russia party sweeps to success”
• “Russia launched cyber-attacks against Latvia, claims security service”
• “Latvia Says Russia Targeted its Foreign and Defense Bodies With Cyber Attacks”
• “Russia claims ‘misunderstanding’ led to arrests of four spies in Holland”
• “Full report: Skripal Poisoning Suspect Dr. Alexander Mishkin, Hero of Russia” (bellingcat)
• “GRU (GU) facing a little purge? If so, it’s not to spy less, but spy better” (In Moscow’s Shadows blog)

#MLI – Op PRESENCE

• “À Gao, La MINUSMA sensibilise la société civile sur les procédures judiciaires” (MINUSMA info-machine)
• “Trois opérations de la force G5 Sahel programmées “ces prochaines semaines” “

Internal Security

• “Is Canada a target? A former Russian troll warns Canadians to be ‘vigilant’ “
• “A deeply flawed approach to a real problem … The world, including Canada, needs to recognize what the first real, core problem is, altogether too often, corrupt, tyrannical leadership which causes internal suffering and civil wars …” (Col. Ted)

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “Canadian military says doubling in sex-assault reports a sign of progress”

Other Military News

• ” ‘It’s deplorable’: Veterans disgusted after vandals deface Halifax war memorial”
• “Halifax naval memorial vandalized with anti-war slogans, anarchy symbols”
• “Un mémorial vandalisé à Halifax, la communauté se mobilise”
• “Military families’ stressful wait for care”
• “A landmark ruling on military courts means the Forces must change for the better –The military is scrambling after a court decided that its process for trying soldiers with civil crimes violates the Charter—exposing its double standard …”
• “Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan will hold a media availability via teleconference to discuss his participation at the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas in Mexico this week …” (DND info-machine)
• Commentary:  “The Canadian Armed Forces are currently committed and deployed on five oversees missions, none of which have a clear cut or achievable objective. Of course, the old Cold War warhorses will claim that our battle group stationed in Latvia has been successfully deterring Russian aggression into the Baltic States. One could similarly argue that a tinfoil cap is proper protection against alien brain removal, proven by the fact that you still have your brain. I would think that Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania’s membership in NATO, with that alliance’s pledge of collective defence, coupled with the nuclear arsenals of the U.S., U.K. and France would serve as ample deterrent to even the most ambitious of Russian dictators …”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 3 October 2018

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE

• “NATO Defence Ministers take forward decisions from the NATO Summit in July” (NATO info-machine)
• “Stoltenberg Forecasts NATO Defense Minister Discussions” (US DoD info-machine)
• “US to let NATO use its cyber defence skills”
• “UK Government Accuses Russian Intelligence of Cyberattacks”
• “US NATO envoy warns Russia to halt new missile development”
• “Sarmat to begin flight tests in 2019” (Russian strategic nuclear forces blog)

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “Canadian company ready to invest in construction of solar power station in Luhansk region”
• “One Ukrainian serviceman dies in Donbas over 24 hours”
• “JFO: Ukraine reports 1 KIA, 2 WIA’s in Donbas in past day”
• “Ukraine reports 1 KIA, 2 WIA amid 34 enemy attacks in Donbas in past day”
• “NATO concerned over situation in Sea of Azov”
• “Ukraine boosts military presence in Azov Sea: Turchynov threatens with response to any aggression”
• “NATO helping Ukraine with strengthening cyber defenses”
• “Poroshenko submits to Verkhovna Rada bill that extends special self-government procedure for (occupied areas)”
• “Law on Donbas special status to be adopted due to U.S., EU pressure, – expert”
• “Facebook bans account of DPR mission to JCCC” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Russian Church Spokesman Falsely Compares Ukrainian Church to Nazis”

#CANinIRQ – Op IMPACT

• “Adel Abdel Mahdi, Iraq PM-designate shouldering hopes home and abroad”
• “Iraq’s Two New Leaders Offer a Glimmer of Hope”
• “Can Iraq’s new leaders deliver stability after months of deadlock?”
• “KDP: Iraqi president post does not represent people of Kurdistan”
• “Germany extends military mandate in Iraq, ends reconnaissance mission next year”
• “Dutch FM safeguards support for military missions that include Kurdish forces”
• “Turkish Parliament ratifies motion to extend mandate for troops in Iraq and Syria”
• “Syria’s Assad Reaches ‘Understanding’ With Arab States”

#MLI – Op PRESENCE

• “Mali: ceasefire allows schools to re-open”
• “JNIM portrays its fight as part of Al Qaeda’s global jihad — In a recently released video, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) – a jihadist group primarily based in West Africa and the Sahel – went to great lengths to portray its fight against Mali and France as conjoined with al Qaeda’s global jihad …”
• “Report: African Countries Struggle to Contain Terror Groups”

Way Up North

• “Canada joins international moratorium on High Arctic fishing”
• “Binding agreement on Arctic fisheries moratorium officially signed by EU and nine countries”
• “A Global Arctic? Chinese Aspirations in the North” (CGAI paper)
• “The Arctic is pulling NATO and Russia north”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Wanted:  “The Department of National Defence has a requirement for 175 Vials of Sodium Thiosulfate Pentahydrate, 250 mg/ml, 100 ml with an option to purchase two additional quantities of 175 vials over the next three years …” – Sodium thiosulfate (drugs.com)
• Wanted: “Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche Operations Course”
• Wanted:  “Evacuation Bag, Casualty, Insulated” x 62
• Here’s the latest presentation deck (PDF) for the “Ground-Based Air Defence (Letter of Interest)” process
• “Two junk submarines, and our long tradition of terrible military procurements”
• “Canada’s fighter jet debacle: This is no way to run a military”

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “High-ranking Canadian Forces member facing jail time for disgraceful conduct — Master Warrant Officer Mardie Reyes pleaded guilty to disgraceful conduct as a result of voyeurism …”
• “Sexual Misconduct Response Centre Releases Its Second Annual Report” (DND info-machine)
• “Le Centre d’intervention sur l’inconduite sexuelle présente son deuxième rapport annuel”

Mental Health in the CAF

• “The Surgeon General announces the release of the Canadian Armed Forces Clinician Handbook on Suicide Prevention” (DND info-machine)

Other Military News

• “Military probe turns up no trace of suspected Agent Orange barrels at New Brunswick base”
• “Hard to believe beard ban was a dealbreaker for military recruits”

#CHN/Pacific Rim

• “Beijing slams intrusion into islands’ waters” (CHN mil media)
• “China Seen Toning Down Activity in Contested Sea”
• “Mike Pompeo trip a chance to ease tensions as China-US ties ‘near rock bottom’ “

The Koreas

• “A top South Korean official told lawmakers that North Korea is estimated to have up to 60 nuclear weapons, in Seoul’s first public comment about the size of the North’s secrecy-clouded weapons arsenal …”
• “N. Korea Rejects Idea of Peace Treaty in Exchange for Denuclearization”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 18 July 2018

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE

• “Canada’s CH-148 Cyclone helicopter launches first operational deployment”
• “HMCS Ville de Québec deploys with new Cyclone helicopter in support of NATO on Operation REASSURANCE”
• “Opération REASSURANCE: le NCSM Ville de Québec part en mission avec l’hélicoptère Cyclone”

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “U.S. Risks Legitimizing Russian Subversion in Ukraine” (ISW Blog)

#MLI – Op PRESENCE

• “Canadian Troops Head to Mali, With In-Bedded Media in Tow” (antiwar.com)
• “Mali’s election overshadowed by violence”
• “MINUSMA : un accident fait un mort et 6 blessés”
• “UN Reports Alarming Surge of Violence in Mali’s Mopti Region”
• “The UN Human Rights Office is concerned about a spike in intercommunal violence in Mali which has led to serious human rights abuses by militia groups. The head of the UN Human Rights and Protection Division in Mali, Guillaume Ngefa, said there are targeted killings between communities …” (UN info-machine)
• “China upstages France in Francophone West Africa”

Internal Security

• From Today’s Federal Cabinet Shuffle  “… Bill Blair … becomes Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction. He will work to ensure Canada’s borders are managed in a way that promotes legitimate travel and trade while keeping Canadians safe and treating everyone fairly and in accordance with our laws … and will be the minister responsible for irregular migration.” (PMO info-machine)
• “UK Rendition and Torture: Lessons for Canada ” (Centre for International Policy Studies)
• “Two human rights organizations are calling on the Canadian government for answers amid “troubling revelations” of the U.S. Coast Guard’s alleged mistreatment of suspected drug smugglers at sea and Canada’s purported complicity … “We would like to know what the Canadian Armed Forces’ position is with respect to the human rights obligations that Canadian naval personnel carry out in the midst of a collaborative operation like that, and what safeguards are being put in place to scrupulously guard against the possibility Canadian naval personnel are drawn into complicity in human rights violations,” Alex Neve, Amnesty International Canada’s secretary general, told The Current …”
• “Donald Trump is Canada’s best hope for solving its border crisis”
• “U.S. to review uranium imports on national security grounds”
• “Canada could get caught in cross-fire of US uranium investigation”
• “Uranium is now in Trump’s tariff crosshairs — and Canada is the biggest supplier”
• “L’uranium pourrait être au coeur du prochain litige entre le Canada et les États-Unis”
• “U.S. Department of Commerce Initiates Section 232 Investigation into Uranium Imports” (U.S. Commerce Dep’t info-machine)

Walt Alert

• “Wetaskiwin man facing charges after allegedly impersonating war veteran”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “This requirement is to establish a Regional Individual Standing Offer to procure slip-ons and legends badges for members of the Canadian Forces on an “as and when” basis …”

Way Up North

• “Presidents of Finland, Russia and the US discuss Arctic environmental issues”

The Koreas

• “Pompeo: N.K. nuclear deal ‘may take some time’ “
• “US targets Chinese and Russian missiles with THAAD upgrade in South Korea: military analysts”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 26 May 2018

• “Three officer cadets kicked out of Forces after desecrating Qur’an with bacon and bodily fluid” – From the Info-machine:  “… A recent situation in which three officer cadets from Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean are alleged to have shown disrespect to the Qur’an falls far below this standard. Due process will be applied, and those found to be responsible for this vile act, will be held accountable for their actions.  “Let there be no doubt in anyone’s mind: if these allegations are proven to be true, these repugnant acts must and will be condemned in the strongest terms, and I know that in this regard I speak for the entire Canadian Armed Forces …”
• “DND doubles financial compensation for military who lose money on moving”
• “Former MP Laurie Hawn why Canada’s costly – yet empty – military prison still matters”
• “World maritime body approves first Arctic ship routing measures”
• “The staff of the 1st Infantry Brigade of the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) in April and May underwent a thorough assessment and at the Saber Knight exercise that ended in Latvia this week. According to NATO rules, the brigade is battle ready … Saber Knight is a part of the training cycle of the Danish Division, in which according to the scenario of the exercise, planning and conducting of military operations in Baltic countries is practiced. In addition to troops from Estonia and Denmark, others participating in the exercise included allies from Latvia, Lithuania, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany …”
• “MH17 – Russian GRU Commander ‘Orion’ Identified as Oleg Ivannikov” (bellingcat) – “Statement by the NATO Secretary General on MH17 investigation” (NATO info-machine) – Col. Ted on MH17 latest:  “Some truth, at last … The evidence seems nearly incontrovertible that Russia shot down Flight MH-17 and then mounted a massive disinformation campaign to cover it up because to admit the truth would require Russia to admit that it has invaded Ukraine ~ an act of aggression that is criminal. But that’s how the world is in 2018; Russian lies, aggression and murder will be exposed but the US led West will let it slide because … “
• “North Korea ‘open to talks’ despite Trump cancellation of summit” – Donald J. Trump on Twitter:  “Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea. We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell!” – “Trump says summit with North Korea could still go ahead” – “North, South Korean Leaders Met to Discuss Possible Summit” – “South Korean president holds surprise meeting with Kim Jong Un, reviving hopes of summit” – “Leaders of two Koreas agree to hold high-level talks on June 1: KCNA” – More via Google News – “Destruction at North Korea’s Nuclear Test Site: A Review in Photos” (38 North)
• “Montreal’s Russian veterans: Diaspora members meet to remember WWII”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 22 May 2018

• “NATO: No (Canadian) Alliance Service Members Killed in Eastern Ukraine” (Voice of America fact-check)
• Vets Ombudsman’s brief on proposed new Pension for Life: “… without knowing more of the facts concerning the implementation of Part 4 of Bill C-74, we cannot be sure of the effect these proposed changes will have on Veterans and their families. This lack of transparency, clear communications and clearly defined outcomes is hampering not only my Office’s ability to analyze the Bill and consult on its impacts, it is impeding also individual Veterans and their families, Veterans’ advocates/organizations, and other interested stakeholders, such as this Committee, from doing their due diligence …”
• “Defence minister in Kelowna to talk to flood relief soldiers” – “Defence minister thanks troops for BC flood relief work” – “Sajjan meets with forces (in BC)”
• “RCAF personnel from Petawawa and Edmonton finish Mali mission prep exercise” – “Tactical Helicopter Squadrons from Alberta and Ontario participate in pre-deployment preparation in view of Mali mission” (DND info-machine)
• Speaking of #MLI …
• “Mali delegation taps Canadian expertise documenting human rights abuses” – “The French intervention in Mali: A lesson in Mission Command”
• “Sikorsky’s pitch for Canada: Our new helos are cheaper than upgrading yours” – “Air Force analyzes options for Cormorant upgrade”
• “Un employé de la Base militaire Bagotville porté disparu”
• “Has The #MeToo Movement Forgotten About Our Women In Uniform?”
• “How the new Ebola vaccine was made in Canada”
• “Canadian freed from Ethiopian jail wants review of Ottawa’s role in his case”
• “The Case Of The Returning Jihadi:  A Talk by Rukmini Callimachi, Janice Stein and Amarnath Amarsingam”
• “Trudeau Liberals Shamefully REFUSE To Condemn Terror Group Hamas For Inciting Violence” (Spencer Fernando)
• Over in #UKR
• “Ukrainian Fascist Toys for the Little Ones…” (pro-RUS page) – “These are the toy soldiers of the SS division Galichina from Canada of Chinese origin and toy soldiers of the UPA of the unnamed master from Lviv …” (in Russian)
• “Russian Naval Exercises in Sea of Azov: A Prelude to ‘Hybrid’-Style Invasion?”
• “Survivors of Quebec mass shootings plea for ban on assault weapons” – “Des proches de victimes de tuerie reviennent à la charge pour que le gouvernement Trudeau interdise l’accès légal aux armes d’assaut. Le Centre culturel islamique de Québec sera notamment en mission à Ottawa mardi pour faire valoir son point de vue en commission parlementaire …”
• “From NORAD to NOR[A]D: The Future Evolution of North American Defence Co-operation” (CGAI paper)
• “Overspending on defence doesn’t guarantee an effective fighting force”
• “New CO will sail HMCS Oriole on 2018 Great Lakes Deployment”
• Over in #PRK …
• “Trump says N. Korea summit may not happen June 12”
• “Trump-Kim Summit Coin Rings Hollow for Some”
• “North Korea’s Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site: Viewing Areas Identified and Preparations for Closure Continue” (38 North)
• … and Europe
• “Sweden hands out brochure in case of ‘crisis or war’ “ – “War warning: Sweden issues its people with booklet on how to cope with crisis” –“Sweden issues first brochure on war and crisis preparedness since Cold War”
• NATO study on how Russian soc-media users message in the Baltic States
• “Baltic Governments Respond to Growing Russian Spy Threat”
• “The Baltic States Ask the US for a Bigger Military Presence on Their Soil” (pro-RUS think tank)
• “Minister O’Regan launches 65th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice events” (VAC info-machine)
• “Montreal WW II hero, largely unknown at home, honoured as Dutch town’s saviour”
• “Three Canadian First World War soldiers found in France and identified” (DND info-machine) – “France : trois soldats canadiens de la Première Guerre mondiale identifiés” – “Canadian soldiers ID’d a century after they fell in WWI Battle of Hill 70” – “Remains of Manitoba WW I soldiers found in France” – “A century after they died, remains identified of three Canadian soldiers buried in France”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 10 May 2018

• “New Brunswick asks for military assistance in flood cleanup”
• “Israel strikes dozens of Iranian targets in Syria after getting rocket fire” – “Iranian forces accused of firing 20 rockets out of Syria at Israeli front line military” – “Iran attacked Israel from Syria without notifying Damascus – report” – “Iranian media claim Syrian, not Iranian , rockets struck Golan”
• “Liberals condemn Iran attacks on Israeli forces in Golan Heights” – “Trudeau regrets Trump’s decision to withdraw from Iran nuclear agreement”
• “Stephen Harper, other former world leaders endorse Trump’s Iran decision” – “Sajjan says Harper’s endorsement of Trump’s Iran decision ‘not helpful’ “
• “Even before Trump dumped nuclear pact, Canada’s relations with Iran were in limbo”
• “Trump: N. Korea summit to take place in Singapore June 12”
• “Three Percenters are Canada’s ‘most dangerous’ extremist group, say some experts”
• “3,000 officers, dozens of German shepherds will be flown in to boost security at G7 summit in Quebec” – “Century-old Manoir Richelieu morphing into fortress as G7 summit nears”
• “Minister Sajjan tables new legislation to enhance support for victims in the Military Justice System” (DND info-machine) – “Legislation aims to address gaps in Canada’s military courts with victims’ bill of rights”
• “Strong, Secure, Engaged So Far” (CGAI)

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 25 April 2018

 

• #TorontoAttack
• “Continues to be no national security threat in Toronto van attack: Wynne”
• ” Investigators turn attention to motive as Toronto van attack suspect charged with 10 counts of murder”
• “Suspect in Toronto van attack publicly embraced misogynist ideology”
• “Wynne calls possible link between van rampage suspect and mysogynistic group ‘very disturbing’ “
• “Attaque à Toronto: une majorité de femmes parmi les victimes”
• “Who is Alek Minassian, the man accused in the van rampage?”
• “Toronto van attack suspect was student, ex-military recruit”
• “Number cited in cryptic Facebook post matches Alek Minassian’s military ID: Source”
• “What is ‘incel’? Explaining the cryptic Facebook message allegedly left by Toronto attacker”
• “Toronto has joined other cities struck by vehicle attacks — what can it learn from them?”
• “Terrorist? Misogynist? Labelling the Toronto van attacker a pointless exercise: Robyn Urback”
• “Russian Woman Injured in Toronto Van Attack Being Treated in Hospital – Embassy” (RUS media)
• “G7 Toronto: les ministres de la Sécurité ont appelé à un monde plus pacifique et plus sûr”
• On replacing the CF-18 …
• “Dassault & Airbus Team-Up – What Does it Mean for the CF-18 Replacement”
• “Airbus and Dassault to team up on combat fighter” – “Airbus, Dassault to team up for new fighter jet project” – “Airbus and Dassault join forces to build next fighter aircraft” – “Airbus Details Franco-German Fighter Deal With U.K. Role at Risk”
• Wanted:  “INDEPENDENT 3rd PARTY REVIEW … This requirement is for Public Services and Procurement Canada for the provision of Independent third party reviews of various procurement documents and processes relating to the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP) …”
• Wanted:  “Environmental Investigations Stony Point First Nations, Ontario … The Department of National Defence (DND) requires multi-year Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (HHERA), and/or Risk Management services to facilitate development and implementation of: a Clearance and Remediation Plan for the clearance of Unexploded Explosive Ordnance (UXO); remediation of Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs); and infrastructure removal at the former Camp Ipperwash at Stony Point, Ontario (the Site), as per the terms of the Ipperwash Final Settlement Agreement between the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point and Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada (the Final Settlement Agreement) …”
• “Canada faces capability gap in space surveillance” – “Quantum radar: Canada joins race to develop technology”
• “New Commander for Canadian Special Operations Forces Command”
• Col. Ted’s take on the latest twist in the #MLI mission:  “A different sort of self inflicted wound: Canada’s helicopter follies”
• “Canadian Rangers use ihuma to help train Arctic Operations Advisors”
• “More LGBTQ people will be compensated in ‘gay purge’ lawsuit settlement — The deal will affect members of the military and government agencies who were fired because of their sexual orientation …”
• #CHN pissed @ #CAN Senate
• ” ‘This is irresponsible’: Canada under fire after its Senate passes measure opposing Beijing’s actions in South China Sea” – “Canadian Senate needs better understanding of China’s sovereignty” (CHN military media)
• And from #SYR …
• “Russia Widens EW War, ‘Disabling’ EC-130s In Syria” – “Why Syria may be the most aggressive electronic warfare environment on Earth”
• “Canadian Korean War veterans warily watch historic leaders’ summit”
• “North Korea’s nuclear test site has collapsed … and that may be why Kim Jong-un suspended tests”
• “Skepticism, Optimism Color Analysts’ Response to Kim’s Suspension of N. Korea’s Nuclear, Weapons Testing”
• “Belgian King Returns (WW 1) Field Gun to Canada”

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