| April 17, 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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Al Qaeda Linked Magazine Encourages
Attacks During Protests
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April 17, 2021 |
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On April 15th, the following
related Flash SMS
message was sent to AlertsUSA subscriber mobile devices: |
4/15 - Al Qaeda linked media group releases new issue of 'Wolves of Manhattan' magazine. Urges followers to infiltrate US & EU protests to conduct attacks. See email.
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What You Need To Know |
On Thursday, AlertsUSA subscribers were informed of the release of a new issue of an Al Qaeda linked online magazine 'Wolves of Manhattan' within which followers are urged to capitalize on civil unrest in the U.S. and European Union by infiltrating protests in order to carry out attacks, with a particular emphasis on targeting law enforcement.
Quoting from the publication issued by the Al Malahem Cyber Army:
"The appropriate time is when you see a verbal quarrel between an element and demonstrators, especially if the police officer is the one who attacks, and then this is your appropriate opportunity to respond. We recommend that you rely on the Molotov cocktail as your main weapon in the demonstrations, as it is more effective than the bladed weapons..."
"So come, 'Manhattan wolves' everywhere, go to protests and demonstrations to carry out your operations, invade for the sake of God and remember that an unbeliever never meets the one who killed him in the hell, and here these demonstrations have come to you on a plate of gold. Don't waste this precious opportunity, and remember that by your operations you are avenging your family in Palestine, Burma and Kashmir, and everywhere."
The publication also urges readers to use protests and demonstrations as an opportunity to inflict economic damage.
"My Muslim brother, if you are unable to take advantage of these demonstrations to shed the blood of the crusaders, then you have to be able to use it to drain their money, and there are many ways for this, including exploiting demonstrations to break down and sabotage public and private facilities. [...] On your way during the demonstration destroy all the cars, shops and kiosks that you see in front of you, and remember that the nation of the cross is common with their government in the war against Islam."
The publication also offers a one-time reward (paid with Bitcoin) for anyone who will kill a policeman in a Western country and provide imagery of the targeted assassination. They also state that the successful operation would not be publicized and the reward was only available to “Christians, Jews and Atheists.”
It's Not Just Al Qaeda
Readers are reminded that in addition to Al Qaeda-linked messaging and propaganda, since January of this year, ISIS-aligned media organizations have continued to publish posters, videos, and written material leveraging events such as the Capitol siege and mass shooting incident in Boulder, Colorado. This material is intended to encourage and incite homegrown violent extremists (HVEs) to carry out additional attacks in the U.S.. In a recent graphic from late March, the ISIS-aligned Al-Taqwa Media Foundation depicted photos of police officers outside of the Kosher supermarket mass shooting incident in Boulder, along with a hooded figure with a backpack full of explosives. The text on the graphic reads, “AMERICA What is all this agitation, and we haven’t even started yet? And the next, by Allah’s help, it will be worse.”
Other examples of recent ISIS propaganda are shown below.
AlertsUSA also reminds readers that the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan began last week and runs through Thursday, May 13th. While the vast majority of Muslims around the world see Ramadan as a time for peace and spiritual renewal, there are also those who strive to make this month a time for unspeakable acts of violence, including here in the U.S. and in other western nations.
In consideration of these varied threats, along with the rapidly increasing tempo of mass shooting incidents and violent protests, AlertsUSA strongly encourages readers to heighten their level of caution and vigilance when in public venues and events where large numbers of people are gathered. Make it a point to regularly check local media in your area and keep your phone handy for breaking notifications from AlertsUSA.
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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Coronavirus Update |
April 17, 2021 |
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What You Need To Know |
According to data provided by the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, as of Friday evening there have been more than 566,000 total deaths in the U.S. attributed to the Sars-CoV-2 virus.
According to data provided by the HHS / CDC / ASPR Community Profile Report for Friday, April 15th, there were 4,985 new deaths in the U.S. over the last 7 days. This represents a 10.8% INCREASE from the previous 7 day period. Total COVID-19 hospital admissions in the last 7 days were 38,548. This represents a 4.5% INCREASE from the previous 7 day period.
The Department of Homeland Security has extended the restrictions on non-essential cross-border land travel with Canada and Mexico through April 21st.
The CDC now requires all air passengers entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents) to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure, or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days.
All travelers entering Canada, regardless of citizenship, must follow testing and quarantine requirements. If you can enter Canada and you have no symptoms, you must quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. If you are flying into Canada, your quarantine period includes a mandatory 3 night pre-paid booking at a government-authorized hotel at your own cost.
This week the Ontario government unveiled several new COVID-19 restrictions aimed at curbing record-high cases in the province, including increased police powers, provincial border checkpoints and restricting outdoor gatherings.
Important COVID-19 Headlines
COVID infection rate is approaching highest level ever, WHO chief warns
Halt on J&J COVID-19 vaccine will continue until more clot data available
Blood clots as prevalent with Pfizer and Moderna vaccine as with AstraZeneca's
COVID variant from S. Africa breaks through Pfizer vaccine in Israeli study
Third Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine May Be Required To Fight New Strains
Europe surpasses one million COVID-19 deaths – a third of the global tally
Most COVID-19 ICU patients in Brazil are now under 40
Deaths outstrip births in ten Brazilian cities as COVID-19 cases surge
Brazil's P1 coronavirus variant mutating, may become more dangerous -study
India’s second wave of COVID shows no signs of slowing
SITUATION REPORTS / OFFICIAL CASE NUMBERS
HealthData.gov
World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control (U.S.)
Johns Hopkins CSSE (Interactive map updated multiple times daily) |
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AlertsUSA.com
SMS ALERTS FROM THIS WEEK
NOT DETAILED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ISSUE
4/11 - Growing, agitated crowd in resp to police shooting of black male, 63rd Ave N & Kathrene Dr., Brooklyn Center area of N. Minneapolis. Caution urged in the area.
4/11 - Brooklyn Center, MN protests turn violent. Riot police deploy non-lethal munitions for crowd control. Looting underway at local stores. Live streams via email.
4/12 - Minnesota Nat'l Guard to increase number of troops deployed in Minneapolis & Brooklyn Ctr. due to overnight rioting and approaching end of Derek Chauvin trial.
4/12 - Minneapolis Mayor declares state of emergency & enacts curfew between 7PM and 6AM after Brooklyn Center, MN police shooting and follow-on civil unrest.
4/12 - AlertsUSA monitoring multi-agency response to active shooter report w injuries, Austin-East High School, Knoxville, TN. Add'l alerts as warranted.
4/12 - Shooter dead, one police officer injured, one person detained in Austin-East High School (Knoxville) incident.
4/12 - Large angry crowd surrounds Brooklyn Center (MN) Police Dept. in defiance of curfew. Unrest likely to spread to other cities. Live streams via email.
4/13 - CDC & FDA pause use of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine over six reported US cases of a "rare and severe" type of blood clot. Press conf at 10 AM EASTERN.
4/13 - Renewed clashes between protesters and police in Brooklyn Center, MN. State Police and National Guard on scene. Live streams via email.
4/15 - POTUS declares national security emergency over Russia, expels 10 diplomats from embassy in DC, names intel service as the perp of SolarWinds hack. See email.
4/15 - AlertsUSA monitoring evacuation and response to bomb threat at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. FBI on scene. Add'l alerts as warranted.
4/15 - Chicago PD release bodycam footage of officer-involved shooting in which 13YO boy was killed. High potential for protests, transport & business disruption.
4/15 - San Antonio Int'l Airport on lockdown following an officer-involved shooting. SAPD police states there is no ongoing threat to the public.
4/15 - AlertsUSA monitoring reports of a mass shooting incident, FedEx warehouse, 8951 Mirabel Rd., Indianapolis, IN. At least 6 casualties. Add'l alerts as warranted.
4/16 - AlertsUSA monitoring response to reports of shots fired, Briarwood Mall, Ann Arbor, MI. Mall on lockdown. Police ask public to avoid the area.
4/16 - Protests against police use of force planned in metro areas nationwide 4/16-18. Heightened potential for violence, partic after sunset. Monitor local news. |
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Commentary / Analysis / Research |
April 17, 2021 |
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U.S. Cannot Afford A World War With Russia
Russia’s autocratic strongman, President Vladimir Putin, finds himself in an unenviable position. He is deeply unpopular at home. An old political rival, Alexei Navalny, has returned home from abroad in an attempt to overturn Putin’s increasingly unpopular regime.
Moreover, it appears to Putin as though US President Joe Biden is leading NATO and the European Union (EU) in a renewed encirclement strategy meant to break Russian power in Europe and ultimately push Putin himself from power.
Whether or not the West is stoking the flames of resentment and regime change in Russia, the fact remains that Putin clearly believes the West is responsible—which further threatens regional security at a time when American power is being stretched to its breaking point all throughout Eurasia.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
China: Compromising U.S. Elected Officials
China is certainly not the only foreign government that has made American politicians wealthy, either directly or indirectly. Given the size of their economy and the wealth of commercial ties between U.S. business and China, however, they do it bigger and more broadly than anyone else. This beneficence, I believe, poses potentially serious questions about China's influence, China's access to American policy makers, and China's activities in the halls of power. Further, it shows the toothlessness of American ethics watchdogs that these issues have not been more thoroughly reviewed and challenged previously.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
Chinese-Made Drones in U.S. Are Spying
In the last few days of the Trump administration, the president signed an executive order designed to prevent U.S. taxpayer dollars from being used to procure drone technology that is produced by foreign adversaries. The president was essentially saying, “Don’t give our enemies the keys to our kingdom, and if you already have, take them back.”
And yet, the Biden administration may disregard the magnitude of this threat and move to revoke that executive order and its commonsense approach to security.
~ READ MORE HERE ~ |
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| USNI Fleet and Marine Tracker |
April 17, 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 April 12, 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 |
April 17, 2021 |
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AMERICAS
Biden Blinks: U.S. drops plans to send destroyers into the Black Sea
Biden declares Russia threat 'national emergency,' 10 diplomats booted
Biden, Japan's Suga Commit to Work Together to Meet China Challenge
Rau Castrol, 89, prepares to hand power in Cuba to President Diaz-Canel
He Applied for a Gov’t Job—Then Fessed Up to Terror Plots on the Polygraph
More electrical problems found on some Boeing 737 MAX
Biden’s gamble: Will pulling troops revive extremist threat?
Mexico arrests 30 marines over disappearances in Tamaulipas
UN warns that impact of Caribbean volcano could affect other islands
Visualizing America's Longest Foreign Wars
EUROPE
Russian military vehicles descend on Ukrainian border, don 'invasion stripes'
Putin closes off access to Black Sea after Biden’s about-face on Ukraine
Russia, retaliating against Washington, asks 10 U.S. diplomats to leave -
Russia bans multiple serior U.S. officials from entering
Moscow will announce response to US sanctions in near future — diplomat
Ukraine: 'Russia is threatening us with destruction'
US commander warns Russia NATO is ready to respond to aggression
Bulgaria’s PM Borissov says he will not lead new government
Denmark strips Syrian refugees of residency permits
Europe seeks to limit use of AI in society
MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA
Iran starts enriching uranium to 60%, its highest level ever
Iran may start enrichment of uranium to 90% at its discretion, president says
As Biden advances UAE F-35 sale, senators seek more control of arms deals
Explosives-laden drone targets U.S. forces at Iraq's Erbil airport
Britain, France, Germany slam Iran for further violating 2015 nuclear deal
Iran's Khamenei warns against nuclear talks dragging on
Iran’s supreme leader: Vienna offers ‘not worth looking at’
‘Where is the $128B?’ Turkey’s opposition presses Erdogan
Eritrean troops kill 3 civilians in ‘unprovoked attack’
Russian mercenaries accused of rights violations in Central African Republic
Egypt seizes ship that blocked Suez Canal over $900m compensation claim
Drug-resistant malaria gaining foothold in Africa: study
ASIA
US Intelligence Raises Concerns About Afghanistan Pullout
Afghanistan war: US spies doubt reports of Russian 'bounties' for troops
Petraeus Trashes Biden Decision to Quit Afghanistan
Has the US just handed over Afghanistan to the Taliban?
NATO to match US troop pullout from Afghanistan
How the U.S. Plans to Fight From Afar After Troops Exit Afghanistan
Taliban demands U.S. withdraw forces by May 1 deadline
Beijing warns U.S., Japan against collusion against China
China Threatens: Fighter Jets Will Fly Over Taiwan to Declare Sovereignty
China’s New Aircraft Carrier Nearly the Same Size as U.S. Super Carriers
Are the Olympics cancelled? Japan official’s comments sow doubts
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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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