| October 30, 2021 |
Threat Journal is a weekly supplement to the
AlertsUSA National Threat
and Incident Notification
Service for Mobile Devices |
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WEEKLY THREAT AND ALERT ROUNDUP
Published Each Saturday Afternoon |
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Islamic State Threat to Virginia Shopping Malls
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October 30, 2021 |
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On Oct 29, the following
related Flash SMS
message was sent to AlertsUSA subscriber mobile devices: |
10/29 - Local, state and federal law enforcement warn of an "elevated, highly specific threat" against Northern VA malls this weekend. Vigilance urged. More via email.
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What You Need To Know |
On Friday of this week AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of warnings issued by law enforcement agencies across the National Capital Region (DC, VA, MD) regarding an unspecified threat to malls, shopping centers, and other high traffic public venues this weekend.
During a Friday evening news conference, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis stated the following:
"Yesterday we received information concerning potential public safety impacts to malls and shopping centers across the region.... As we work to corroborate it, we have increased our police presence throughout the county.... “We have ramped up our presence at places where people shop, at places where people recreate, gather, dine.”
The Arlington County Police Department said they had heard the “non-specific, unconfirmed threat to shopping centers.” They recommended that shoppers remain attentive while going about their normal routine, especially in large crowds of people.
Friday night, the source of the threat was revealed to be the Islamic State and may involve Afghan refugees.
In related news:
On Tuesday, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, Colin Kahl, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that U.S. intelligence assesses that ISIS-K, the Islamic State's Afghanistan affiliate, could potentially have the ability to strike American targets in as little as six months, while al Qaeda can also increase its capabilities.
Quoting Kahl:
"I think the intelligence community currently assesses that both ISIS-K and al Qaeda have the intent to conduct external operations, including against the United States. But neither currently has the capability to do so."
"We could see ISIS-K generate that capability in somewhere between six or 12 months.
AlertsUSA cautions readers that this warning is well founded and for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, obviously under Taliban control, is once again issuing passports. Today, visa-free entry is available for Afghan passport holders for several countries in this hemisphere, including Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Haiti.
Once in this hemisphere, getting into the U.S. would seem to be pretty simple, as evidenced by the 1.7 million illegal aliens from dozens of countries who were encountered along the U.S. southern border in the last fiscal year. This says nothing of the radicals already in the U.S. and Europe who have been emboldened by the Afghanistan pullout debacle.
Readers are also reminded that just last week, Threat Journal reported on Panama's apprehension of 52 individuals linked to Al Qaeda headed for the U.S. border.
AlertsUSA again cautions subscribers to maintain a high level of situational awareness when in crowded public venues in the coming weeks.
AlertsUSA continues to monitor the domestic and international threat environment around the clock and will immediately notify service subscribers, via SMS messages to their mobile devices, of new alerts, warnings and advisories or any developments which signal a change the overall threat picture for American citizens as events warrant.
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AlertsUSA.com
SMS ALERTS FROM THIS WEEK
NOT DETAILED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ISSUE
10/29 - NOAA warns incoming G3 (Strong) geomagnetic storm may present increased risk to astronauts or passengers & crew in high lat, high altitude flights. See email.
10/28 - X1-class solar flare results in coronal mass ejection with Earth-directed component. G3 (Strong) geomagnetic storm to arrive late on 10/30. More via email.
10/25 - CDC issues new vaccination and testing requirements for all air passengers traveling to the U.S., regardless of citizenship. See your email for full details.
10/25 - Police in Boise, ID report 2 killed, 6 injured incl a police officer in the Boise Town Square Mall shooting incident. Suspect in custody.
10/25 - AlertsUSA monitoring response to reports of gunfire, Boise Town Square Mall, Boise, Idaho. Multiple casualties rptd. Large police presence, avoid the area.
10/25 - US Embassy Sudan warns Sudanese mil now in control of gov. No flights leaving country. Americans urged to shelter in place. Avoid embassy and int'l airports.
10/24 - Possible coup in Sudan. PM Hamdok + other ministers under house arrest. Internet disrupted. Bridges leading to capital blocked. Awaiting US Embassy warning msg.
10/24 - AlertsUSA monitoring response to reports of gunfire, Southpoint Mall, Durham, NC. Large police presence, evacuation underway. Avoid the area.
10/24 - M6.2 earthquake, 21 km SSE of Yilan, Taiwan. Multiple strong aftershocks. AlertsUSA monitoring for damage reports. |
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Coronavirus Quick Hits |
October 30, 2021 |
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UNITED STATES
According to data provided by the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, as of Friday evening there have been more than 745,000 total deaths in the U.S. attributed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The 7-day average for COVID-attributed deaths in the U.S. is 1,512.
CANADA
Canada has opened up its borders to fully vaccinated foreign travelers. The country has quietly lifted it's blanket travel advisory related to COVID-19.
The 7-day average for COVID-attributed deaths in Canada is 37
LATIN AMERICA
Brazil remains the Latin American country most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of October 26, 2021, the country had reported over 21.7 million cases. It was followed by Argentina, with more than 5.2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19.
EUROPE
Russia still leads the European region in COVID-related deaths. This week, Moscow began another 11-day lockdown after a tragic 1,159 deaths in 24 hrs. Oddly, Ireland is 91% vaccinated and COVID cases are soaring…
BORDERS
DHS has provided even more confusing details regarding the lifting of travel restrictions on international air and land border crossings for fully vaccinated travelers beginning Nov 8th.
COVID-19 NEWS STORIES
Firefighters Union: Chaos coming to NYC on Nov 1st due to vax mandate
Biden admin barred from firing unvaccinated employees after injunction
Latest Lancet study exposes limits of vaccines at preventing COVID infection
Raytheon CEO expecting to lose 'several thousand' due to vaccine mandate
GE grapples with losing employees over COVID-19 vaccine mandate
Workers protest impending firing of up to 8,000 Mayo Clinic employees
Student loses leg after second cross-jab, then dies
Australia: Vax booster every 6 months or no food shopping for you
Ventura county nurses blow the whistle on crisis in local COVID care
Did World Economic Forum reveal the vaccine injects traceable markers?
ERs are swamped with seriously ill patients — but many don't have COVID
Third Chinese city placed under Covid lockdown
China sees new COVID outbreak from Delta variant to get worse
China to give COVID vaccine to children as young as 3
CDC: Immunocompromised people may need fourth dose
IMPORTANT NEW PUBLICATIONS
Lancet - Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccination Against Risk of Symptomatic Infection, Hospitalization, and Death Up to 9 Months
SITUATION REPORTS / OFFICIAL CASE NUMBERS
HealthData.gov
World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control (U.S.)
Johns Hopkins CSSE (Interactive map)
NATIONAL VACCINATION STANDING
According to the CDC's COVID Data Tracker website, more than 419 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines have been administered within the U.S..
VACCINE ADVERSE EVENT REPORTING
According to the CDC's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) between mid-December 2020 and Oct 22 of this year, more than 837,000 adverse events have been reported following COVID19 vaccinations. As it is estimated that only 1% of adverse events are recorded into the system, these numbers could be significantly higher.
Reports of adverse events to VAERS following vaccination, including deaths, do not necessarily mean that a vaccine caused a health problem.
Current VAERS reports (U.S. only) related to COVID-19 vaccines include:
Deaths: 8,068
Hospitalizations: 37,986
Urgent Care: 78,452
Anaphylaxis: 2,044
Bell's Palsy: 2,681
Miscarriages: 1,314
Heart Attacks: 4,104
Myo/Pericarditis: 3,667 |
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Commentary / Analysis / Research |
October 30, 2021 |
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Why Is The U.S. Still In Syria?
If the US desperately needed to put troops in harm’s way to protect itself and its core security interests in the Middle East, then perhaps the ongoing mission in Syria could be justified. Syria, however, can hardly be called a core US security interest — doubly so when the Islamic State, the terrorist group Washington sought to vanquish, is now stateless, weak and unable to hold ground anymore.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
Serious Questions Raised About Afghan Vetting
Vetting in the immigration context is not terribly complicated. Section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) bars the admission of aliens based on several criteria (medical issues, criminal history, terrorism ties, national security risk, etc.), and applicants for admission bear the burden of establishing that they are not inadmissible based on any of them.
In an October 27 article, the Wall Street Journal reported that Republican congressional leaders are questioning the process by which the Biden administration has vetted Afghan nationals brought to the United States following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from that Central Asian country.
At least 10 Afghan evacuees brought to the United States have been detained as national security risks.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
Consequences of America Losing a War to China - Pt. 1
It is foolish to believe an intense war involving China and the U.S. would be confined to the Taiwan Strait and end with Taiwan's loss. In numerous war game scenarios, missiles hit regional U.S. bases - meaning Japan, South Korea, Guam, perhaps Australia, Singapore and Hawaii.
Go a step farther. What keeps this western Pacific war from escalating to a war for national survival?
~ READ MORE HERE ~ |
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| USNI Fleet and Marine Tracker |
October 30, 2021 |
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These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Oct 25, 2021 based on U.S. Navy, public data provided by the U.S. Naval Institute, and open source reporting. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.
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| World News Roundup |
October 30, 2021 |
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AMERICAS
Taliban threatens migrant surge in bid to unblock $10bn held by the West
US military ‘well postured’ for any Chinese cyber onslaught, CIO nominee says
US-NATO-EU to blame China for cyberattack on Microsoft Exchange servers
Walmart recalls aromatherapy spray due to rare and deadly bacteria
Washington committed to helping Taiwan defend itself - U.S. official
Biden tells French Pres the US was 'clumsy' in handling nuclear sub deal
US intelligence says COVID not developed as biological weapon
Fire, Fire, Fire: How Navy Failures Destroyed the Bonhomme Richard
China, Russia ask UN to check biowarfare strength of US and allies
EUROPE
NATO chief Stoltenberg says door remains open for Finland to join alliance
Belgium sentences two ISIS fighters to five years in jail
German female member of ISIS first to be sentenced over Yazidi genocide
Five youths suspected of planning Islamic State-inspired attack in Germany
Lithuania starts building its four-metre border wall with Belarus
Moldova: Russia threatens gas supply in Europe's poorest state
EU blames Russia for ‘political pressure’ in Moldova gas squeeze
Hunger-striking ex-leader rattles Georgia from jail
MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA
US military exit from Syria unlikely anytime soon, officials say
Biden admin quietly works with UAE to reverse the coup in Sudan
Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly attack on Iraqi village
Death toll rises as Sudan’s capital rocked by more clashes
Sudanese general ignored U.S. warning as army rolled out coup plan
Violent abductions target Sudanese civilians in aftermath of coup
Turkish intelligence helped Iraq capture Islamic State leader
White House skeptical Iran ready to restart nuclear talks
ASIA
Taliban threatens migrant surge to unblock $10bn held by the West
Biden's humanitarian crisis hitting Afghanistan hard
China is removing ‘Arab-style’ features from biggest mosques
ISIS-K expanding ‘faster than anticipated,’ experts warn
Why Is the Islamic State in Afghanistan’s Propaganda Targeting China?
China may be using closed civilian airport for Taiwan overflights
Why ISIS in Afghanistan’s propaganda targeting China?
DoD official raises doubts about taliban's ability to fight ISIS
Winter Olympics: 100 days and the race against a growing COVID outbreak
Flurry of IS Khorasan attacks could be sign of group's growing strength
Tajikistan approves construction of new Chinese-funded base
China: Gas stations, truck drivers bear brunt of diesel shortage
China reiterates firm opposition to US-Taiwan military contact
Tsai shows off US mil in Taiwan, China says ‘will be punished eventually’
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Travel Security Resources
The U.S. Dept. of State Travel Website is the authoritative federal source for information on the security situation at travel destinations worldwide. With tensions rapidly increasing in most regions, readers planning international travel, even to such common destinations as Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands, are strongly encouraged to research on the security situation at your destination prior to departure.
The Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides a variety of resources to enhance the safety and security of the U.S. private sector businesses and organizations operating abroad.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website is the authoritative federal source for information on current health issues related to specific destinations worldwide. These issues may arise from disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, natural disasters, or other conditions that may affect travelers’ health.
Foreign Sources of Travel Guidance
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Take Advantage of These Resources
Our social media channels provide a steady steam of important news and resources between issues of Threat Journal with little or no overlap of content. Combined with the AlertsUSA service for instant mobile notification of the really bad developments, you have an unmatched set of tools to keep yourself fully up to speed on the nation's threat environment. With times getting worse by the day, we urge you to utilize these resources.
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