SYRIA UPDATE

Foreign Jihadists In Greater Idlib Threaten HTS’ Security Forces In New Statement

In the statement, the jihadists accused HTS leader, Abu Mohamad al-Julani, of “betraying” and “selling” them, vowing to attack the checkpoints of his security forces.

“We inform you that you are targets for us as long as you help the oppressor against the oppressed … This is a warning and a threat for you to leave this disgraceful work,” the statement reads.

https://southfront.org/foreign-jihadists-in-greater-idlib-threaten-hts-security-forces-in-new-statement/

New Wave Of Russian Airstrikes Hit ISIS Terrorists In Central Syria

On August 22, a new wave of intense Russian airstrikes targeted the remaining ISIS terrorists in the central region of Syria.

Warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces bombed hideouts of ISIS in the Homs desert, which lays between eastern Homs and western Raqqa. A day earlier, a similar wave of airstrikes targeted the region.

These airstrikes appear to be a response to the group’s recent attack on Russian troops near the Homs desert. A major general was killed and two service members were injured.

https://southfront.org/new-wave-of-russian-airstrikes-hit-isis-terrorists-in-central-syria/

Jabbour, ICSFT call on the UN to stop Turkish crime of cutting drinking water from Hasaka

Jabbour pointed out in a letter to Guterres that Turkey is cutting off drinking water for the residents in the city and its suburbs, stressing that this crime is exacerbating the seriousness of the humanitarian situation in the region and it is a violation of the international humanitarian laws.

In turn, the International Council for Supporting Fair Trial and Human Rights (ICSFT) condemned in the strongest terms the crime of cutting off water for about one million civilians in Hasaka city, holding the Turkish occupation responsible for the lives of those people, particularly at a time when water is considered the most important way to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

http://sana.sy/en/?p=200782

Syrian Army, Jihadist Rebels Trade Heavy Attacks in Southern Idleb

The frontlines of Jabal al-Zawiya have witnessed a flare up with the Syrian army and opposition fighters trading blows reports Al-Masdar.

According to a field source in northern Hama, the Syrian army was engaged in an artillery exchange with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and their allies at a number of points in the Jabal al-Zawiya region, including the area around al-Bara’a.

The Syrian army also targeted the jihadist positions in the town of al-Fateerah, which is where the militants have been firing artillery from.

https://syrianobserver.com/EN/news/60031/syrian-army-jihadist-rebels-trade-heavy-attacks-in-southern-idleb.html

Military Situation In Syria On August 22, 2020 (Map Update)

A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:

Syrian Arab Army (SAA) artillery shelled Turkish-backed militants’ positions in the villages of Fatirah and Barah;

Military convoy of the SAA’s 5th Corps arrived in the city of Deir Ezzor;

Turkey has been cutting off water supply to Hasakah for three weeks. Syrian government agencies are taking measures to provide water to the population;

The Russian Ministry of Defense called on Turkey to stop the criminal activities of its militants in Syria, as their clashes lead to civilian deaths;

On August 21, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a series of airstrikes on ISIS hideouts in the deserts of Homs and al-Suwayda.

https://southfront.org/military-situation-in-syria-on-august-22-2020-map-update/

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>>10385074

US occupation brings in 50 vehicles loaded with equipment to Hasaka countryside

The US occupation forces brought in a convoy of 50 vehicles loaded with military equipment, logistical materials, and tanker trucks for transporting oil to their illegitimate bases in Hasaka countryside.

Local sources in al-Swaidiyah village in Hasaka countryside told SANA reporter that the US occupation forces brought in a convoy consisting of 50 vehicles loaded with military equipment and logistical materials to the Syrian territories coming from Iraq through al-Walid illegal crossing point.

The sources added that the convoy included trucks, tanker trucks, and transports accompanied by a number of armored military vehicles.

http://sana.sy/en/?p=200773

Several US-backed SDF militants injured in an attack by unidentified persons in Deir Ezzor countryside

The reporter added that one of the so-called "self Defense" checkpoints, affiliated to SDF militia, was also exposed to machinegun fire by unidentified persons in the village of Jadeed Akedat in Deir Ezzor eastern countryside.

On Friday, SDF militia stormed al-Hawayej town, kidnapped several civilians and took them to an unknown place, while a militant from SDF groups was killed when unknown persons opened fire at him in Al-Busayrah city in Deir Ezzor northeastern countryside.

http://www.syriatimes.sy/index.php/news/local/50571-several-us-backed-sdf-militants-injured-in-an-attack-by-unidentified-persons-in-deir-ezzor-countryside

Locals in Qamishli countryside rally to protest against US occupation and demand its expulsion

Locals in al-Bajaria village in the northern countryside of Hasaka on Saturday held a mass rally to protest against the presence of US occupation troops in Syria and to condemn the occupation's attack on a Syrian Arab Army checkpoint in Tal Al-Zahab area in Qamishli countryside.

The participants stressed that backing the Syrian Arab Army is the national duty of every Syrian citizen.

The protestors condemned the US occupation's attack on a checkpoint of the Syrian Arab Army in Tal Al-Zahab in the countryside of Qamishli, calling for reactivating the role of popular resistance in expelling the occupying forces, SANA reporter pointed out.

http://www.syriatimes.sy/index.php/news/local/50566-locals-in-qamishli-countryside-rally-to-protest-against-us-occupation-and-demand-its-expulsion

Protests Against Turkish-Backed Militants Broke Out In Syria’s Ras Al-Ain (Videos)

Tribal leaders and prominent figures are reportedly participating in the protests against Turkish-backed militants, who have been wreaking havoc in the town since occupying in October of last year.

https://youtu.be/p2pKWo2Cjpc

https://youtu.be/cF-AejBdGkU

https://southfront.org/protests-against-turkish-backed-militants-broke-out-in-syrias-ras-al-ain-videos/

Video Shows Moment Of IED Explosion That Killed Russian Major-General In Deir Ezzor

The video shows the convoy of Syrian and Russian forces staying on the road. The explosion occured at the moment when the Russian major-general had a conversation with a local commander of the National Defense Forces.

Use link for video

https://southfront.org/video-shows-moment-of-ied-explosion-that-killed-russian-major-general-in-deir-ezzor/

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Border Patrol Agent Arrested For Trafficking 350,000 Fentanyl Pills And Kilos of Cocaine

A US Border patrol agent was recently arrested and charged with drug trafficking after he was found with roughly 350,000 fentanyl pills along with other drugs

A US Border patrol agent was recently arrested and charged with drug trafficking after he was found with roughly 350,000 fentanyl pills along with other drugs, including kilos of cocaine and heroin.

53-year-old Carlos Victor Passapera Pinnot was assigned to patrol the border in Tucson, Arizona, but he was apparently using his position and the cover it provides to run a large drug trafficking operation. There is a chance that he may have remained undetected by authorities if he chose a smarter place to make his drug deals, but he was ultimately caught because he decided to meet his buyer at an airport.

Airports are among the worst places to make a drug deal because they are such high-security areas, which are typically filled with cameras and police that are always looking for any sign of suspicious activity.

Passapera met his buyer at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in the early morning hours and placed two large duffle bags in the buyer’s vehicle. The buyer was later stopped by police who searched his vehicle and found a large assortment of drugs, including the 350,000 fentanyl pills and 21 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of heroin, and one additional kilogram of fentanyl.

Passapera was arrested later that day, and during the raid, authorities found nearly $330,000 in his home and $40,000 in his vehicle, according to a press release from the Justice Department.

It is not entirely clear how investigators were able to connect Passapera with the buyer so quickly. It is very possible that the buyer told police his identity, but they could have also very easily tracked phone records if Passapera communicated on a device that he had registered under his name, or stored on his property. Since they met at the airport, it would have also been very easy for investigators to look at CCTV footage to see who met the buyer.

“On August 9, 2020, at approximately 3:15 AM, Passapera left his residence and drove south to a remote area of the border west of the Lukeville Port of Entry. Passapera then drove to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where he loaded two duffel bags into another vehicle. Law enforcement agents stopped the driver of that vehicle after it left the airport, and searched the duffel bags,” the press release stated.

The Department of Homeland Security, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) took part in the investigation along with local law enforcement. If convicted, Passapera could face a minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

https://themindunleashed.com/2020/08/border-patrol-agent-arrested-for-trafficking-350000-fentanyl-pills-and-kilos-of-cocaine.html

As COVID-1984 Accelerates, Bill Gates Blames “Freedom” For Spread of the Virus

Recently, Bill Gates gave an interview to the Rothschild partially owned Economist. In this interview, Gates was asked about how he views the U.S. response to the outbreak. His reply was…

Aside from the high ‘risk money’ the US ponied up for vaccine research and development, he think the U.S. is doing a poor job overall.

Gates proceeded to directly blame the poor response on lack of preparation, but also freedom. Yes, Bill Gates blamed our freedoms for the spread of the virus.

Bill Gates then went on to praise China’s authoritarian response and said, despite the fact that people’s rights were violated, China’s response was really amazing!

This is right out of the 2010 Rockefeller Lock Step document that laid out a scenario for a world of tighter top-down government control and more authoritarian leadership.

In this video report, we examine how we seem to be living out a scenario very similar to a Rockefeller Foundation document from a decade ago.

We also explore several examples of how what was initially considered to be basic, fundamental freedoms are being erased in response to this current crisis.

At the end of the day, one must always ask … who benefits?

The covid-19 pandemic will be over by the end of 2021, says Bill Gates

https://www.economist.com/international/2020/08/18/the-covid-19-pandemic-will-be-over-by-the-end-of-2021-says-bill-gates

Rockefeller Lock Step Document

https://norberthaering.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Scenarios-for-the-Future-ofTechnology-and-International-Development.pdf

Bill Gates: US fumbled coronavirus response because ‘we believe in freedom’

https://www.foxnews.com/health/bill-gates-us-masks-freedom

You Can Be Jailed If You Refuse Coronavirus Vaccine Says US Attorney

https://greatgameindia.com/jailed-refuse-vaccine/

No jab, no JOB: Bosses demand the right to sack their workers if they refuse to get a coronavirus vaccine

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8647255/No-jab-no-job-Bosses-demand-right-sack-workers-refuse-coronavirus-vaccine.html

When Teachers Call the Cops on Parents Whose Kids Skip Their Zoom Classes

https://reason.com/2020/08/17/teachers-zoom-classes-parents-child-services-coronavirus/

Australia Order To Remove Children Page 33

https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/A/COVID-19%20EMERGENCY%20RESPONSE%20ACT%202020/CURRENT/2020.7.AUTH.PDF

Michigan College Will Digitally Track Students’ Movements At All Times

https://freebeacon.com/campus/michigan-college-will-digitally-track-students-movements-at-all-times/

Vaccines mandatory for all Texas students, even those learning virtually

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/08/05/vaccines-mandatory-for-all-texas-students-even-those-learning-virtually/

States have authority to fine or jail people who refuse coronavirus vaccine, attorney says

https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/states-have-authority-to-fine-or-jail-people-who-refuse-coronavirus-vaccine-attorney-says

New York City will set up checkpoints to enforce quarantine for travelers

https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2020/08/05/new-york-city-will-set-up-checkpoints-to-enforce-quarantine-for-travelers-1305021

HERE IT COMES: BILL GATES AND HIS GAVI VACCINE ALLIANCE LAUNCHING AI-POWERED ‘TRUST STAMP’ COMBINING A VACCINE AND DIGITAL BIOMETRIC ID IN WEST AFRICA

https://www.nowtheendbegins.com/bill-gates-gavi-vaccine-alliance-mastercard-truststamp-biometric-digital-identification-combined-with-vaccine-west-africa/

New COVID-19 restrictions will be needed for anti-vaxxers

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/new-covid-19-restrictions-will-be-needed-for-anti-vaxxers-20200616-p55330.html

CDC-Promoted Training Materials Say: Quarantine CHILDREN of Sick Parents

https://nationalfile.com/cdc-promoted-training-materials-say-quarantine-children-of-sick-parents/

Scott Morrison walks back mandatory coronavirus vaccination comments

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-19/pm-walks-back-mandatory-coronavirus-vaccination-comments/12575600

https://www.activistpost.com/2020/08/as-covid-1984-accelerates-bill-gates-blames-freedom-for-spread-of-the-virus.html

“I Am The Most Powerful Woman In American History” — Pelosi & Kamala Butt Heads

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday suggested that she will still be the most powerful elected woman in U.S. politics even if California Sen. Kamala Harris is elected vice president in November, Fox News reports.

During an interview with The Washington Post, Pelosi was asked about Harris’ history-making moment on Wednesday night, when she became the first Black and Indian American woman to accept a major party’s vice presidential nomination.

Pelosi implied that Harris, 55, may not wield much power as vice president.

“Well, I’m not sure how powerful the vice president is,” Pelosi said during the interview.

What an egomaniac narcissist! Does Pelosi really think she is the most powerful woman in the United States?

Is A Euthanasia Program Underway In The US Under The Guise Of COVID-19? 5,720 views

“My disappointment is that every time I’m introduced as the most powerful woman in American history, it breaks my heart because I think we should have a [female] president,” she told the Washington Post in March.

Pelosi is truly deranged and her actions and words have proven time and time again that she is horrifically greedy and deranged.

Fox stated, Pelosi’s comments came one day after she spoke at the Democratic National Convention, during which she painted President Trump as an enemy of women, saying she’s witnessed “firsthand Donald Trump’s disrespect for facts, working families and for women in particular — disrespect written into his policies toward our health and our rights, not just his conduct.

This is the same tune that Hillary Clinton was using to try and sway female voters to vote for her during her failed Presidential Campaign run.

https://www.dcclothesline.com/2020/08/22/i-am-the-most-powerful-woman-in-american-history-pelpsi-kamala-butt-heads/

Arrest Made In Viral Hate Crime Against 7-Year-Old With MAGA Hat

Update (1605ET): An arrest has been made.

21-year-old Olivia M. Winslow of Wilmington was arrested on Friday in connection with the incident involving the 7-year-old boy who had his MAGA hat stolen, according to WDEL.

Video circulated on social media, by Students for Trump, shows two girls, one police said was Winslow, tearing up Trump signs and stealing the young boy's "Make America Great Again" hat. The video shows the boy crying, and his mother encouraging him to get his hat back.

Police said they arrested Winslow after reviewing video footage of the event. A second woman involved hasn't yet been arrested. -WDEL

40K RTs

4.5 million views.

Because of you and your support the monster who did this to 7 year-old Riley has been arrested and charged.

This should ruin her life.

It’s a hate crime.

Let it be a serious warning to all you hate-filled Joe Biden voters.

We’re not taking it any longer https://t.co/PjAcmi872R

— Benny (@bennyjohnson) August 22, 2020

• • *

Update: Turning Point USA’s Benny Johnson shared on Twitter that “Riley got a call from the White House” Friday, posting some pictures of the young boy, one taken at what appeared to be a Trump rally.

It looks like Riley will be getting a very special replacement hat… pic.twitter.com/GPIbjAJ04Z

— Benny (@bennyjohnson) August 21, 2020

• • *

Authored by Paul Joseph Watson via Summit News,

A video from outside of last night’s DNC Convention in Milwaukee shows two Joe Biden supporters stealing a MAGA hat from a 7-year-old boy before physically attacking his mother.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/watch-biden-supporters-steal-7-year-old-boys-maga-hat-attack-his-mother

Fake News ‘Fact-Checkers’ Run Cover For Biden and Godless Democrats, Claim DNC Did Not Remove Phrase “Under God” From Pledge of Allegiance

The fake news ‘fact checkers’ are running political interference and acting as Biden’s political protectors.

Far left ‘fact checkers’ such as Snopes, Politifact, Lead Stories and AP claimed on Saturday that the DNC never removed the phrase “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance in response to Trump’s tweet.

“The Democrats took the word GOD out of the Pledge of Allegiance at the Democrat National Convention. At first I thought they made a mistake, but it wasn’t. It was done on purpose. Remember Evangelical Christians, and ALL, this is where they are coming from-it’s done. Vote Nov 3!” Trump said Saturday morning.

The Gateway Pundit provided two separate videos of DNC moderators saying the Pledge of Allegiance this week and omitting “under God.”

Fun fact: The phrase “under God” was added to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 in response to the Marxist threat at the time — no wonder why the Marxist Democrats want to omit the phrase.

Example number one: A moderator omitted “under God” during a DNC LGBTQ Caucus meeting this week.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/08/fake-news-fact-checkers-run-cover-biden-godless-democrats-claim-dnc-not-remove-phrase-god-pledge-allegiance/

The Storm Is Here: Pelosi Prepares to Be Appointed President – Trump’s Fight Against Total Chaos

A plan is underway to install Nancy Pelosi as president. It is not the only plan, but this plan will be worked towards its logical conclusion, whether or not its utility concludes prior to the election itself, now less than 90 days away.

A series of explosions rocked a number of countries, the most significant being Lebanon. In Trump’s televised address in New Jersey in the first week of August, he explained that he would be laying low. Prior to that, in describing storm Isaiah, Trump gave a signal to his base, that the ‘storm’ was now at his back.

On July 21st Nancy Pelosi appears to have explained a large part of the game plan, to MSNBC.

“Well, that’s a loaded question there about coronavirus, what we do about it. But the fact is, whether he knows it yet or not, he will be leaving. Just because he might not want to move out of the White House doesn’t mean we won’t have an inauguration ceremony to inaugurate a duly-elected President of the United States and the – I just – you know, I’m second in line to the Presidency. Just last week I had my regular continuation of government briefing. This might interest you because I say to them, ‘This is never going to happen. God-willing it never will.’ But there is a process. It has nothing to do with the certain occupant of the White House doesn’t feel like moving and has to be fumigated out of there because the presidency is the presidency. It’s not geography or location.”

More

https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2020/08/22/storm-here-pelosi-prepares-to-be-appointed-president-trumps-fight-against-total-chaos/

Pope Francis backs ‘universal’ COVID vaccination ‘for all’, WHO thrilled

'It would be sad if this vaccine became the property of this or that nation and was not universal and for all'

VATICAN CITY, August 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― Pope Francis has backed global elites such as Bill Gates when it comes to a Coronavirus vaccination, saying that it should be “universal and for all.”

In his Wednesday afternoon address, the Argentinian pontiff made his comments in the context of opposing rich countries and people obtaining the vaccine.

“It would be sad if we gave priority for the COVID-19 vaccine to the richest people,” Pope Francis declared.

“It would be sad if this vaccine became the property of this or that nation and was not universal and for all,” he continued.

Vaccine critics, including environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are warning that key parts of testing are being skipped in the push to develop a COVID vaccine. Critics warn about the risks of large-scale injury and other health-related consequences that could result from a largely untested vaccine that is suddenly injected into millions.

Earlier this year, a Canadian inoculations watchdog alerted LifeSiteNews to the dangers of vaccines that are developed too quickly. Ted Kuntz, president of Vaccine Choice Canada (VCC), a society founded by families who have suffered from vaccine reactions or injuries, warned in May that Canadians should be concerned about the safety of a coronavirus trial vaccine manufactured by China.

Some authorities, like Professor Giuseppe Tritto, an internationally known expert in biotechnology and nanotechnology, have warned that developing a single vaccine for a virus for which the original genetic code is being withheld by the Chinese and which has already mutated into a dozen different strains is “extremely unlikely.” This has resulted in many speculating on an ulterior agenda behind the global push for a COVID vaccination.

Some Church leaders, such as Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò and U.S. Bishop Joseph Strickland, have urged Catholics to reject COVID vaccines developed using cell-lines from aborted babies.

The Pope began his Wednesday speech by saying that the coronavirus pandemic had revealed the difficult situation of the poor “and the great inequality that reigns in the world.” Although the coronavirus does not make exceptions between people, he said, it had nevertheless found, in “its devastating path, great inequalities and discriminations” and even increased them.

Pope Francis said that there must be a two-fold response to the situation: both a cure for the “little virus” of COVID-19 and a cure for the “big virus,” “that of social injustice, of unequal opportunity, of marginalization, and of lack of protection for the weakest.”

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pope-francis-backs-universal-covid-vaccination-for-all?utm_source=featured&utm_campaign=standard

Department of Energy Starts Probe Into Mandatory 'Workshops' on 'White Male Privilege' in US Labs

The mandatory courses, held under the pretext of fighting racism, gender inequality, and homophobia, have sparked strong opposition over being divisive in a country that has already been torn apart by various social conflicts and suggesting that those who attend are racists, misogynists, and homophobes.

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has ordered the National Nuclear Security Administration and the agency's inspector general to carry out independent probes after it was reported that the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), which works under its jurisdiction, had arbitrarily organised mandatory "social workshops" for all white male executives. The DoE said it was unaware of such training taking place and vowed to review the SNL's activities to ensure that all employees and contractors receive "equal treatment".

"The Department of Energy (DOE) leadership did not have knowledge of or authorize the use of taxpayer dollars for the reported social workshops at the Sandia National Laboratories, or elsewhere", the department stated.

Divisive 'Re-Education Camp'

According to author and researcher Christopher Rufom, who first exposed the phenomenon, the SNL, whose work is related to national security, essentially organised "re-education camps" to allegedly fight "racism, sexism, and homophobia" among a specific social group – white males. The organisers of the workshop promised to expose "white privilege" to the attendees, the author added.

The federal government's premier nuclear research lab hosted a 3-day reeducation camp for "white males," with the goal of exposing their "white privilege" and deconstructing "white male culture."

Here are the leaked documents from the race-segregated, taxpayer-funded session.👇

— Christopher F. Rufo (@realchrisrufo) August 12, 2020

The workshop trainers made the attendees go through a series of sessions, Rufom revealed. One of them was making a list of associations about white male culture with terms "white supremacists", "KKK", "MAGA hat", "Founding Fathers", and "mass killings" written as examples, the author said, providing photo evidence allegedly from the event. The organisers reportedly went on to "explain" to the executives how they were exercising their "privilege" as white heterosexual males and how their actions could be "devastating" to women and people of colour.

In the opening thought-work session, the trainers demand that the men make a list of associations about white male culture. The trainers write "white supremacists," "KKK," "Aryan Nation," "MAGA hat," "privileged," and "mass killings." pic.twitter.com/TUKARqvoar

— Christopher F. Rufo (@realchrisrufo) August 12, 2020

Next, the white male employees must expose the "roots of white male culture," which consists of "rugged individualism," "a can-do attitude," "hard work," and "striving towards success"—which sound good, but are in fact "devastating" to women and POCs. pic.twitter.com/saVYdG6bHJ

— Christopher F. Rufo (@realchrisrufo) August 12, 2020

According to Rufom, the workshop concluded with the attendees writing an "apology" for allegedly exercising their "privilege" and promising to change their behaviour, apparently regardless of how they actually behaved prior to attending the event. His revelation comes as American society is experiencing continuing racial tensions, which boiled over into mass protests this summer, along with a surge in social justice movements and a rampant "cancel culture".

https://sputniknews.com/us/202008221080249328-department-of-energy-starts-probe-into-mandatory-workshops-on-white-male-privilege-in-us-labs/

Jack Sherman, Former Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist, Dead at 64

Sherman, who replaced founding member Hillel Slovak in December 1983, played on self-titled debut album and co-wrote much of Freaky Styley

Jack Sherman, one-time guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers who played on the band’s debut album, has died at the age of 64, the band confirmed Friday. No cause of death was provided.

“We of the RHCP family would like to wish Jack Sherman smooth sailing into the worlds beyond, for he has passed,” the band wrote on Instagram. “Jack played on our debut album as well as our first tour of the USA. He was a unique dude and we thank him for all times good, bad and in between. Peace on the boogie platform.”

Sherman’s tenure in Red Hot Chili Peppers lasted just over one year beginning in December 1983, with the guitarist — who replaced founding member Hillel Slovak — playing on the band’s self-titled debut album. Sherman also co-wrote much of the material on the band’s second LP Freaky Styley, but when Slovak rejoined in early 1985 prior to recording that album, the Chili Peppers – amid rising tensions – parted ways with Sherman.

More

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jack-sherman-red-hot-chili-peppers-guitarist-dead-obit-1048424/

Pentagon IG Taking Long Look at How Military Responds to 'Active Shooter' Incidents

The Pentagon's Inspector General has begun a comprehensive research project on how the military branches' various law enforcement agencies have responded over the years to active shooter incidents and violence in the workplace on installations.

The brief July 28 announcement by the IG did not state what triggered the project, but recent incidents have raised questions ranging from access to bases and weapons, to the vetting of personnel participating in training programs.

The most troubling of the recent incidents occurred Dec. 6, 2019, at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida when a gunman later identified as Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, an aviation student from Saudi Arabia, opened fire in a classroom building.

Using a 9mm Glock handgun and extra magazines, Alshamrani killed three sailors and injured eight others before he was killed by responding deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. The FBI later classified the shootings as a terrorist incident.

Two days before the Pensacola shootings, a 22-year-old active-duty sailor, Gabriel Romero, who was assigned to the attack submarine Columbia, opened fire on civilian personnel, killing two and wounding a third, while on guard duty at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard near Honolulu, Hawaii.

Romero used his M4 service rifle in the shootings and then used his M9 service pistol to shoot and kill himself, according to authorities. At the time, he was facing nonjudicial punishment and was undergoing counseling, authorities said.

The July IG announcement said the research project will include collecting policy and guidance documents, response plans and training documents. It also aims to compile a definitive list of previous active shooter and workplace violence incidents and investigations, which has been lacking across the services.

The IG's statement said that the research will focus on "each of the military services' law enforcement organizations and military criminal investigative organizations to further define the scope of a potential future evaluation" of how they performed.

The most recent deadly shooting on a military installation occurred at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi,Texas, on May, 21 when Adam Alsahli, a 20-year-old Syrian-born U.S. citizen and Corpus Christi resident, drove to a security gate and opened fire.

A sailor on guard duty suffered nonlife-threatening injuries when a bullet hit her bullet-proof vest, but she managed to trigger a switch that lifted a barrier. Alsahi crashed his vehicle into the barrier and was killed by return fire from other security personnel, authorities said.

The FBI later said the shooting was a "terror-related incident."

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/08/22/pentagon-ig-taking-long-look-how-military-responds-active-shooter-incidents.html

A UN Vote Exposed Canada’s Blind and Unconditional Support for Israel

While Canada’s support for Israel is, to a certain extent, consistent with Canada’s own colonial past and present interventionist foreign policy, the Canadian people and the international community remain major obstacles, challenging the toxic affinity between Ottawa and Tel Aviv.

The notion that ‘Canada is better’, especially when compared with US foreign policy, has persisted for many years. Recent events at the United Nations have, however, exposed the true nature of Canada’s global position, particularly in the matter of its blind and unconditional support for Israel.

On June 17, Canada lost its second bid for the coveted UN Security Council seat, which, had it won, would have allowed Ottawa the opportunity to become a world leader, pushing its own agenda – and those of its allies – on the global stage.

However, this, too, was a wasted opportunity. Only 108 countries voted for Canada while 130 and 128 voted for Norway and Ireland respectively. Both these countries will be admitted to the Security Council, starting January 1, 2021.

What is striking about Canada’s missed opportunity is that it was in retribution for Canada’s bias towards Israel, at the expense of Palestine, international and humanitarian laws. Over the last twenty years alone, for example, Canada has voted against 166 resolutions supporting Palestinian rights, says Canadian author and human rights advocate, Yves Engler.

Moreover, Canada has lobbied – and continues to lobby – against the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation of war crimes in Palestine. Along with Germany, Austria and others, Canada has challenged the ICC’s jurisdiction on the matter, erroneously alleging that Palestine is not a State.

Shortly before the June vote on new Security Council members was held, a group of human rights activists circulated a letter to all UN members, detailing Canada’s poor record on Palestine. “Despite its peaceful reputation, Canada is not acting as a benevolent player on the international stage,” the letter read.

It added, “Since coming to power, the Justin Trudeau government has voted against more than 50 UN resolutions upholding Palestinian rights, even though they have been backed by the overwhelming majority of member states.”

Among the signatories of the letter were renowned American intellectual, Noam Chomsky, famed rock star, Roger Waters and former Quebec National Assembly member, Amir Khadir.

The vote against Canada at the UN was understood to be a stance against Ottawa’s position on Israel and Palestine, despite Canada’s Ambassador to the UN, Marc-Andre Blanchard, going on the defensive in a desperate attempt to dissuade member states from voting against his country.

In a letter sent to all member states, Blanchard argued that an earlier document written by “a group of Canadians regarding Canada’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict … contains significant inaccuracies and characterizes Canada’s longstanding policy positions”.

This succession of actions is unprecedented in recent years, where a country like Canada loses the respect and support of other UN member states largely due to its failure to respect the rights of the Palestinian people. To better understand the significance of this event, we spoke to Yves Engler, who played a direct role in championing the Palestinian cause and pushing for Canadian accountability at the United Nations.

Engler has also authored several books, among them “Canada and Israel: Building Apartheid” and “Left, Right: Marching to the Beat of Imperial Canada”.

“It is important for people to realize that this anti-Palestinian position that Canada pursues today is not new. It is grounded in at least a century of Zionist policy in this country,” Engler said.

https://www.mintpressnews.com/un-vote-exposes-canadas-blind-and-unconditional-support-for-israel/270634/

Turkey asks INTERPOL to arrest Mohammed Dahlan

The Turkish government asked the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to arrest former Fatah leader Mohammad Dahlan for running an espionage network in Turkey, TRT reported on Friday.

Dahlan is a security advisor for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed, who announced the normalisation of ties with Israel last week.

According to TRT, the Turkish Public Prosecutor added Dahlan to the list of most wanted criminals in Turkey and announced a reward worth ten million Turkish Liras ($385,000) for arresting him.

TRT reported, according to the Turkish Public Prosecutor, that a witness referred to as “Bowraz” said that two Emiratis, Samir Samih Shaaban, and Zakif Yusuf Hassan, spied on Egyptians and Palestinians in Turkey for Dahlan.

Turkey accuses Dahlan of involvement in the botched coup attempt of July 2016.

In November 2019, Ankara issued an INTERPOL red notice for Dahlan after acquiring evidence related to his involvement in issues affecting Turkey’s national security.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200822-turkey-asks-interpol-to-arrest-mohammed-dahlan/

>>10385338

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