DEA Announces Launch of Operation Crystal Shield
Efforts will Focus on Main U.S. Methamphetamine Trafficking Transportation Hubs
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/dea-announces-launch-operation-crystal-shield
AG Barr Blasts Social Media Censorship, Open To Changing Regulations For Platforms
Attorney General Barr blasts big tech and questions whether or not social media companies should still receive section 230 protections against liability for content posted on their platforms.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/02/watch-ag-barr-blasts-social-media-censorship-open-to-changing-regulations-for-platforms-video/
Chinese Regime Deploys 1,600 Online Trolls To Suppress Information On Coronavirus
The propaganda department in virus-stricken Hubei Province has engaged over 1,600 censors to scrub the internet of “sensitive” information relating to the coronavirus outbreak, according to an internal document obtained by The Epoch Times.
The internal report, dated Feb. 15, detailed the agency’s efforts to ramp up censorship measures. It was drafted after a speech given by Chinese leader Xi Jinping via video link on Feb. 10 to “frontline responders” of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, where the virus first broke out.
The revelations come as the Chinese regime tightens information controls over the worsening outbreak, as netizens have increasingly turned to the internet to vent their frustrations about the authorities’ response, or document what is happening on the ground.
The illness has seen a steadily growing official list of infections and deaths on a daily basis. Experts and commentators, however, believe the actual number of infections to be far greater, due to underreporting and shortages in testing kits and hospital beds—meaning many people are left undiagnosed.
1,600 Trolls Deployed
According to the document, the department has hired more than 1,600 trolls, known as the 50-cent army in China, to regulate internet speech continuously, 24/7.
The trolls, through technological and manual screening, had identified as many as 606,800 posts online with “sensitive or harmful information,” it said.
Their approach, it said, was to “timely dispel the online rumors” and “strike powerful blows offline.”
As of Feb. 14, the online censors had deleted as many as 54,000 such “rumors,” and had social media influencers write nearly 400 commentary articles to shape the narrative.
The regime’s propaganda efforts, the report said, should be directed toward promoting the effects of officials’ outbreak control measures and the “moving deeds” of volunteers, community workers, and the police.
Some professional “internet commentators” had also made 400,000 comments to “counter the negative public opinions,” according to the document.
Posts mourning whistleblower doctor Li Wenliang, who died of the virus he was warning about in December, quickly disappeared from the internet in the hours after the news of his passing was first announced. “I want free speech,” a phrase that became trending on Chinese social media following his death, was also swiftly erased.
Wuhan citizen journalists Fang Bin and Chen Qiushi also recently disappeared after posting regular videos online highlighting the severity of the outbreak.
As of Feb. 11, over 2,500 people had signed a joint online petition expressing anger over Li’s death and criticizing the government for suppressing free speech during the outbreak. Several co-signees were subsequently summoned by local police. At least one was detained.
The department has also set up 11 work groups for the purpose of “wartime propaganda” work. The groups were communicating daily with propaganda officials from the central government to “coordinate public opinion” in real time on issues “online and offline,” “inside the country and overseas,” it stated.
Ousting Local Reporters
According to the leaked report, at least 60 reporters from 33 overseas news agencies came to Wuhan after the coronavirus outbreak began earlier this year. However, at least 47 of them agreed to leave, through the department’s “communication and persuasion.”
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/chinese-regime-deploys-1600-online-trolls-suppress-information-coronavirus
NSC Official Moved To Energy Department; White House 'Rejects Rumors' She's Anonymous Anti-Trump Author
The White House has denied rumors that Deputy National Security Adviser Victoria Coates is the author of an anonymous New York Times op-ed and subsequent book criticizing the Trump administration, after Coates was abruptly moved to the Energy Department.
"The White House leadership rejects rumors that have circulated recently and does not put any stock in the suggestion that Victoria Coates is the author of Anonymous: A Warning or the related Op-Ed in the New York Times," a White House official said in a statement to Fox News. "Dr. Coates’ transition to the Department of Energy has been in the works for several weeks and reflects the continued trust and confidence the Administration places in her as she takes on this sensitive role at the Department of Energy, where she will continue working to implement the President’s agenda."
On Monday, Axios reported that Coates role at the NSC was on the chopping block amid rumors she was the author.
A statement from the NSC also said that Coates' move will help "ensure the continued close alignment of energy policy with national security objectives," and that her new position in the Energy Department will be as a senior adviser to the secretary. Her new assignment is effective Monday, they said.
“We are enthusiastic about adding Dr. Coates to DOE, where her expertise on the Middle East and national security policy will be helpful,” said Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette. “She will play an important role on our team.”
National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien said that he is "sad to lose an important member of our team," but said Coates "will be a big asset to Secretary Brouillette as he executes the president's energy security policy priorities." -Fox News
On Tuesday, President Trump said "I know who it is," after a reporter questioned him on anonymous, adding that he won't reveal the name publicly.
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/nsc-official-moved-energy-department-white-house-rejects-rumors-shes-anonymous-anti-trump
In Video: Russian Su-24 Warplane Avoids Two Ground-To-Air Missiles Over Greater Idlib
On February 20, a Su-24 warplane of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) avoided at least two anti-aircraft missiles while providing Syrian Arab Army (SAA) troops in southern Idlib with close air support.
Halab Today, a pro-opposition new channel, released a video showing the Russian warplane dodging one of the two missiles by maneuvering and releasing jamming flares.
Syrian activists claimed that the missile was a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADs) launched from a Turkish observation post in the town of Qaminas in southern Idlib. These claims have not been verified yet.
Several Syrian and Russian airstrikes targeted the Turkish “observation post” in Qaminas, killing two Turkish soldiers and injuring others.
The incident took place during a Turkish-led attack on Syrian Arab Army (SAA) positions in southern Idlib. Russian Su-24 warplanes provided the army with close air support, allowing it to repel the attack within a few hours. The Russian airstrikes destroyed twelve vehicles of the attackers.
Earlier this month, two helicopters of the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) were shot down over Greater Idlib. While Syrian militants claimed responsibility for both incidents, some observers believe that it was the Turkish military that targeted the helicopters.
https://southfront.org/in-video-russian-su-24-warplane-avoids-two-ground-to-air-missiles-over-greater-idlib/
Syrian Warplanes Pound Turkish Post In Southern Idlib. Casualties Reported
Warplanes of the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) have carried out a series of airstrikes on the outskirt of a Turkish “observation post” in the southern Idlib countryside, the Step News Agency reported on February 20.
According to the pro-opposition news agency, the targeted post is located near Qaminas. The town is only 3 km to the northwest of al-Nayrab, which is now being attacked by Turkish-backed forces.
“Initial reports indicate that personnel of the Turkish military were injured,” the agency said in a short press release.
Oppositions sources shared a video showing one of the Syrian airstrikes which targeted the Turkish “observation post” near Qaminas.
The airstrikes were most likely a response to the ongoing Turkish-backed attack. Militants of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the National Front for Liberation (NFL) are leading the ground offensive, while the Turkish artillery is providing fire support.
Heavy clashes are still taking place around al-Nayrab. Pro-government sources are claiming that most of the attackers have been neutralized by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA). However, this is yet to be confirmed.
https://southfront.org/syrian-warplanes-pound-turkish-post-in-southern-idlib-casualties-reported-video/
Turkish Service Members Killed, Injured In Syria’s Greater Idlib: Turkish Defense Ministry
Two Turkish soldiers were killed and five others were injured in the so-called Greater Idlib region in northwest Syria, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense acknowledged on February 20.
In a short press release, the ministry said that the slain and injured soldiers were allegedly implementing a ceasefire in the Syrian region. The ministry didn’t provide any further details.
Turkish sources said that the service members were killed and injured in Syrian airstrikes on a Turkish observation post located near the town of Qaminas in the southern Idlib countryside.
However, opposition activists and some observers noted that the same Turkish post was also targeted by Russian Su-24 warplanes.
Eelier today, the remaining militants in Greater Idlib launched a large-scale attack on Syrian Arab Army (SAA) positions in the town of al-Nayrab, south of Qaminas. The Turkish military provided the militants with direct fire support and heavy weapons.
The SAA repelled the attack in the matter of a few hours with support from the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). Turkish-backed militants sustained catastrophic losses in the failed attack.
https://southfront.org/turkish-service-members-killed-injured-in-syrias-greater-idlib-turkish-defense-ministry/
Two dead, several injured after train derails Wallan station in Victoria
Police are still looking for 20 people unaccounted for after a horror train derailment in rural Victoria that left two dead.
Two people have died and several others are injured after a Sydney-to-Melbourne train carrying passengers derailed in Victoria injuring several passengers.
Commuters were left trapped when the diesel locomotive and five carriages derailed near Wallan station, 45 kilometres north of Melbourne, on the North East line about 7:45pm on Thursday.
Emergency services worked late into Thursday night and rail lines between Melbourne and Sydney have been closed.
Police confirmed early Friday morning two had died, including the male driver. The two deceased were travelling in the driver’s carriage.
“I imagine as a first responder who turned up it would have been looking like a horrific scene,” Victoria Police Acting Inspector Peter Fusinato said.
“I’m very surprised there weren’t more serious injuries … quite a miracle really.”
There are reports one man was injured while trying to save the driver, and Insp Fusinato said he expected further stories of bravery would emerge.
About 20 people remain unaccounted for and police have asked people who left the scene without speaking to emergency services, or who bought tickets but didn’t board the train, to get in touch.
The Seymour Line had a history of delays and cancellations due to an “ongoing rail equipment fault” near Wallan, according to V-Line’s Twitter feed.
“Due to an investigation with NSW Train Link service near Wallan, all Seymour, Shepparton and Albury train services will be replaced by road coaches until further notice,” V-Line said on Friday.
“Customers travelling between Donnybrook and Southern Cross may consider using Metropolitan services between Craigieburn and Southern Cross to complete their journey.”
https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/passengers-trapped-as-train-derails-wallan-station-in-victoria/news-story/91d2430f84b620b553e5f941c3fcc2fa
Two dead, several injured after train derails Wallan station in Victoria
Police are still looking for 20 people unaccounted for after a horror train derailment in rural Victoria that left two dead.
Two people have died and several others are injured after a Sydney-to-Melbourne train carrying passengers derailed in Victoria injuring several passengers.
Commuters were left trapped when the diesel locomotive and five carriages derailed near Wallan station, 45 kilometres north of Melbourne, on the North East line about 7:45pm on Thursday.
Emergency services worked late into Thursday night and rail lines between Melbourne and Sydney have been closed.
Police confirmed early Friday morning two had died, including the male driver. The two deceased were travelling in the driver’s carriage.
“I imagine as a first responder who turned up it would have been looking like a horrific scene,” Victoria Police Acting Inspector Peter Fusinato said.
“I’m very surprised there weren’t more serious injuries … quite a miracle really.”
There are reports one man was injured while trying to save the driver, and Insp Fusinato said he expected further stories of bravery would emerge.
About 20 people remain unaccounted for and police have asked people who left the scene without speaking to emergency services, or who bought tickets but didn’t board the train, to get in touch.
The Seymour Line had a history of delays and cancellations due to an “ongoing rail equipment fault” near Wallan, according to V-Line’s Twitter feed.
“Due to an investigation with NSW Train Link service near Wallan, all Seymour, Shepparton and Albury train services will be replaced by road coaches until further notice,” V-Line said on Friday.
“Customers travelling between Donnybrook and Southern Cross may consider using Metropolitan services between Craigieburn and Southern Cross to complete their journey.”
https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/passengers-trapped-as-train-derails-wallan-station-in-victoria/news-story/91d2430f84b620b553e5f941c3fcc2fa