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September 29, 2023 - US Navy Conducts Scheduled Unarmed Trident II Missile Test From Submarine. "Launch was conducted from the sea, the missile flew over the sea and landed in the sea. At no time did the missile fly over land". Read more

September 29, 2023 - Released From North Korea, U.S. Soldier Now in Texas, Will Be Debriefed. "Private King arrived ... early in the morning to San Antonio, where he will be going through a reintegration program". Read more

September 28, 2023 - DOD: Key Official Says Shutdown Would Damage National Defense. Department of Defense: Congress has until the end of this week to fund the federal government or agree on a continuing resolution to keep the government funded. Read more

September 27, 2023 - American Soldier Returned To US Custody After Crossing Into North Korea. Travis King was transferred out of North Korea and into China with the aid of the Swedish government after North Korea said that they had completed their investigation of King. Read more

September 27, 2023 - US Southern Border Update - Last 7 Days Of Major Activity. Statements from the U.S. Department of State, Justice Department, Coast Guard, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Read more

September 27, 2023 - Oversight Committee: Wires from China Have Joe Biden’s Wilmington Home as the Beneficiary Address. Such transactions and connections in relation to both the former office of the Vice President and the current office of the President of the United States pose a risk to national security. Read more

September 26, 2023 - CBP Senior Official met with senior officials from the Government of Mexico and the railway industry in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico Friday to discuss action to address enhanced border security operations in response to increased encounters. Read more

September 25, 2023 - Texas Governor Renews Border Disaster Declaration Amid "Historic Influx". The mayor of Eagle Pass, Texas also declared a state of emergency for the city after 5,000 illegal immigrants crossed over the border from Piedras Negras, Mexico. Read more

September 24, 2023 - Russian Foreign Minister Says West Directly Fighting Russia. Lavrov: "You can call it anything you want, but they are fighting with us, they are straight-up fighting with us". Read more

September 23, 2023 - Coast Guard Rescues 5 From Sailing Vessel During Tropical Storm Ophelia. The Coast Guard rescued five people Friday from an anchored 38-foot catamaran that was beset by weather conditions caused by Tropical Storm Ophelia. Storm Projections: Read more

September 22, 2023 - The Captain of the Port for Coast Guard Sector Virginia has set Port Condition Zulu for the Port of Virginia at 4 p.m. Friday due to predicted tropical storm force winds generated by Tropical Storm Ophelia. Read more

September 21, 2023 - Homeland Security Investigations announces Strategy for Combatting Illicit Opioids. HSI: The strategy announced today uses HSI’s unique access to customs and financial data to prevent shipments of drug precursor chemicals from reaching U.S. borders. Read more

September 20, 2023 - City Of Eagle Pass, Texas Issues Emergency Declaration Over Illegal Immigrant Surge. City of Eagle Pass, Texas: "Eagle Pass, TX – Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. issued and signed an emergency declaration due to the severe undocumented immigrant surge into the City of Eagle Pass, Texas". Read more

September 20, 2023 - US Foreign Military Sales To Canada, Poland, Korea Totaling $5.7 Billion. To Korea: F-35 aircraft & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, Poland: F-16 sustainment, and related equipment, Canada: MQ-9B munitions and other integrated systems. Read more

September 18, 2023 - US Foreign Military Sales To Canada, Poland, Korea Totaling $5.7 Billion. To Korea: F-35 aircraft & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, Poland: F-16 sustainment, and related equipment, Canada: MQ-9B munitions and other integrated systems. Read more

September 16, 2023 - Department of Defense Exercises Option on Second Micro Nuclear Reactor Design. A micro-nuclear reactor (mobile nuclear reactor) can be made small and portable, is self-adjusting and would be able to be transported by land, sea or by air. Read more

September 16, 2023 - 46 Illegal aliens "determined to be a threat to national security" were removed by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Read more

September 16, 2023 - Hurricane Lee Update - Information, Satellite Images, And Coast Guard Statement regarding the status of Hurricane Lee affecting portions of southern New Brunswick and Nova Scotia: Read more

September 15, 2023 - NORAD Detects Russian Aircraft Operating In The Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone. The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace. Read more

September 14, 2023 - Hurricane Lee Update For September 14th, 2023. Tropical storm conditions are possible over a large part of coastal New England, including Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Block Island, and parts of Atlantic Canada. Read more

September 13, 2023 - Haiti Security Alert - Border Between Haiti & the Dominican Republic: The Government of the Dominican Republic has announced the possible closure of air, sea, and land borders between the Dominican Republic and Haiti as of Thursday, September 14th. Read more

September 11, 2023 - US House Of Representatives: PRC (Chinese) Theft Of U.S. Thermonuclear Warhead Design Information. Read more

September 11, 2023 - North America Hurricane Status For September 11th, 2023. "Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected to begin along most of the U.S. East Coast Sunday and Monday and worsen through the week". Read more

September 11, 2023 - United States - 32 illegal immigrant criminals and 10 human traffickers were arrested during nationwide Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) between August and September 2023. Read more

September 8, 2023 - US Coast Guard At Condition X-Ray Due To Hurricane Lee: Today's Updates. "Currently, the Coast Guard Port Condition status for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands remains at Port Condition X-Ray". Read more

September 7, 2023 - Russia Responds To US Decision To Send Depleted Uranium Shells To Ukraine. Although mainstream reports that Russian claims about depleted uranium shells are “disinformation,” statements by the U.S. government on the dangers are mixed: Read more

September 7, 2023 - Biden Administration Announces $600 Million In Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine. The package includes: 20 Mi-17 helicopters, 31 Abrams tanks, 45 T-72B tanks, 38 HMARS, 198 155mm Howitzers, Ground-Launched small-diameter bomb launchers, a Patriot Air Defense System, and more: Read more

September 7, 2023 - Hurricane Lee And Jova Updates: September 7th, 2023. Hurricane Lee is rapidly strengthening. Large swells are likely to reach the Lesser Antilles, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico this weekend. More info: Read more

September 7, 2023 - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) carried out a National Operation from August 4th to August 25th, 2023, arresting 48 illegal immigrants and foreign criminals in Denver, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah. Read more

September 7, 2023 - Coast Guard sets Port Condition WHISKEY for seaports in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands due to Tropical Storm Lee. "The Coast Guard strongly cautions the maritime community to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions as Tropical Storm Lee approaches the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico". Read more

September 6, 2023 - Timeline of United States security assistance to Ukraine: In total, the United States has committed more than $43.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, and $66.6 Billion in total aid since the beginning of the Biden Administration. Read more

September 6, 2023 - Air Force Tests Minuteman III ICBM With 3 Re-entry Vehicles. The Air Force Global Strike Command launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with three test re-entry vehicles. Read more

September 6, 2023 - Officials: Chinese Citizens Intrude On US Military Bases Up To 100 Times. Officials believe they are attempts to test the security protocols at the sites by Chinese citizens who have been "pressed into service" and told to report their findings back to the CCP. Read more

September 3, 2023 - Operation Northwoods Unclassified Document. Subject: "Justification for US military intervention in Cuba". Read more

September 3, 2023 - Maui Wildfire Updates - September 3rd, 2023. The number of people declared dead as a result of the Maui wildfire remains at 115, with an unknown number still missing or unaccounted for. Read more

September 2, 2023 - Defense Department: 400 Troops on the US southern border has been extended while 1,500 were withdrawn and sent home. Read more

September 1, 2023 - USSCOCOM Awards Contract To Deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tool To Detect Disinformation Threats. What the AI threat detection software Argus does, and its potential to be used as a tool to target Americans Read more

August 31, 2023 - U.S. Coast Guard: "Coast Guard Sector Virginia urges the public to exercise caution as the region is impacted by significant weather from Hurricane Idalia, Thursday. Read more

August 30, 2023 - Biden Administration Announces $250 Million In Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine. This announcement is the Biden Administration's forty-fifth tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. Read more

August 30, 2023 - Florida National Guard Activated, Hurricane Idalia Expected To Reach Florida By Morning. "3,000 guardsmen in position across the state for preparedness and response efforts, and an additional 1,800 guardsmen are on their way". Read more

August 29, 2023 - After hitting Cuba as a tropical storm, NOAA reports that Idalia, now a hurricane is strengthening as it heads toward western Florida. Read more

August 29, 2023 - Global Wildfire Update: North American Wildfire Smoke Reaching Europe. Wildfires continue to burn across the world. Read more

August 29, 2023 - Coast Guard establishes Area Command Post ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia, Storm Projections. Idalia is expected to build in strength and severity and impact western Florida as a hurricane. Read more

August 28, 2023 - Florida SOCCENT Air Force Base Declares HURCON 3 Zone A Evac - ZONE A EVACUATION ORDER, Colonel Adam Bingham, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Read more

August 28, 2023 - FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for October 4th, 2023. Test Messages Will be Sent to All TVs, Radios, and Cell Phones. Read more

August 28, 2023 - Tropical Storm Isalia Expected To Hit Florida As Hurricane: Storm Projections. Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 23-171, declaring a state of emergency for 33 counties. Read more

August 28, 2023 - The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has identified a potentially widespread fuel contamination caused by human error at the Port of Tampa, Florida. List of affected gas stations: Read more

August 27, 2023 - 3 Marines Killed, 20 Injured In Osprey Tiltrotor Aircraft Crash. The incident took place at approximately 9:30 a.m. There were a total of 23 personnel on board. Read more

August 27, 2023 - Unarmed Minuteman III Test Launch To Showcase Readiness Of US Nuclear Forces. Space Force: "The purpose of the ICBM test launch program is to demonstrate the readiness of U.S. nuclear forces". Read more

August 26, 2023 - Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States Jerome Powell On Inflation: Inflation has moved down from its peak, it yet "remains too high," adding that the Federal Reserve is prepared to "raise the rates further if appropriate". Read more

August 26, 2023 - CBP: $910,000 worth of cocaine seized, ICE removed a fugitive wanted for homicide in Mexico, and Officers with ERO removed a noncitizen wanted in Ecuador for the rape of a minor. Read more

August 25, 2023 - Hawaii Wildfire Disaster Update - August 25th, 2023. The County of Maui, Hawaii has released a list of 388 names of the missing or unaccounted for after the fires that raged through Maui. Read more

August 24, 2023 - U.S. Will Train Ukrainian F-16 Pilots, Ground Crews, DoD Holds Press Briefing. DoD: The U.S.-led training is "in support of the international effort to develop and strengthen Ukraine's long-term defenses". Read more

August 23, 2023 - Pentagon Official Calls for Total Force Focus on Emerging Biothreats. DoD: "The U.S. faces an unprecedented number of complex biological threats posed by near-peer competitors, non-state actors and naturally occurring pandemics". Read more

August 23, 2023 - Hawaii Wildfire Updates: Death Toll Rises To 115, Over 1,000 Still Missing. Of the 2,500 people that were initially declared missing, 1,400 people have been found, leaving about 1,100 people still unaccounted for. Some names have been released: Read more

August 23, 2023 - United States Renews Do Not Travel Alert For Ukraine. Event: The U.S. Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens do not travel to Ukraine. Updated: August 22, 2023. Read more

August 22, 2023 - DoD: U.S. Open to Training Ukrainian F-16 Pilots if Needed, Hawaii Update. DoD: Last week, the U.S. signaled its willingness to approve the third-party transfer of U.S.- made F-16 aircraft to Ukraine. Read more

August 22, 2023 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Poland of AH-64E Apache Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $12.0 billion. Read more

August 21, 2023 - Global Wildfire Locations For Last 24 Hours - August 21st, 2023. Fires are still burning across the globe, maps included below show wildfires in Africa, Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and North America. There are relatively few fires in Russia. Read more

August 20, 2023 - Current North America Wildfires - August 20th, 2023. Wildfires continue to burn across North America, affecting regional air quality and creating breathing hazards. Details: Read more

August 19, 2023 - CBP Southern Border Statistics: July 2023. U.S.Customs and Border Protection: Washington- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today released operational statistics for July 2023. Read more

August 18, 2023 - DOD, FEMA Fully Engaged in Maui Recovery and Assistance Efforts. FEMA: So far, we have approved more than $5.6 million in assistance to nearly 2,000 households including more than $2.3 million in initial rental assistance for Maui Fires survivors. Read more

August 18, 2023 - Hawaii Wildfires: 111 Dead, Around 1,300 Still Missing: As of August 16th, 2023 Maui County has confirmed that 111 people have died as a result of the wildfires, with around 1,300 people still missing and 40% of the area has been searched. Read more

August 17, 2023 - The United States approves Denmark and the Netherlands sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine after the Ukrainian pilots are finished training for the aircraft. Read more

August 17, 2023 - DOD Unveils Collaborative Bio-defense Reforms in Posture Review. Department of Defense: Today, DOD released the Biodefense Posture Review, outlining reforms aimed to posture the department to fight and win in the face of future biothreats. Read more

August 17, 2023 - DoD: General Says Deterring Two 'Near Peer' Competitors Is Complex. Department of Defense: U.S. Strategic Command is focusing on extended deterrence during a time when the country faces two near-peer rivals. Read more

August 17, 2023 - Current Active Wildfires: United States & Globally. Current active wildfires in the United States (US government database), as well as globally (European Copernicus government database). Read more

August 17, 2023 - Cyber Criminals Targeting Victims through Mobile Beta-Testing Applications. The malicious apps enable theft of personally identifiable information (PII), financial account access, or device takeover. Read more

August 17, 2023 - US Approves Arrow 3 Defense System To Germany. The Arrow 3 weapons system is a major part of Israel's multilayered defense array. This array is based on four layers; Iron Dome and David's Sling, and the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems. Read more

August 16, 2023 - Cyber Criminals Targeting Victims through Mobile Beta-Testing Applications. The malicious apps enable theft of personally identifiable information (PII), financial account access, or device takeover. Read more

August 15, 2023 - North America Fire And Smoke Map - August 15th, 2023. Fires Burning In California, Alaska, Southern, Central, Northern United States, Canada. Air quality throughout eastern and portions of western United States, Alaska and Canada affected by smoke. Read more

August 15, 2023 - Milestone In Power Grid Optimization On World’s First Exascale Supercomputer. In the largest simulation of its kind to date, Oak Ridge Lab's Frontier allowed researchers to determine safe and cost-optimal power grid setpoints over 100,000 possible grid failures and weather scenarios in just 20 minutes. Read more

August 14, 2023 - Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine. "It includes additional air defense munitions, artillery and tank ammunition, anti-armor weapons, and other equipment". Read more

August 14, 2023 - NORAD detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) late August 13, and early morning August 14, 2023. Read more

August 13, 2023 - Death Toll From Hawaii Wildfires Reach 89, "Worst Natural Disaster Hawaii Has Ever Faced". Maui governor: “We can only wait and support those who are living. Our focus now is to reunite people when we can and get them housing and get them health care, and then turn to rebuilding". Read more

August 12, 2023 - August 12, 2023 - Death Toll In Maui Wildfires Reaches 67, Expected To Continue Rising. nThe Maui wildfires have now become the deadliest natural disaster in the history of the state of Hawaii since it became a state in 1959. Read more

August 11, 2023 - International Space Race To Moon's South Pole Begins. NASA administrator: The Moon's South Pole may become another "South China Sea" with China staking claims and telling other countries to "stay out" if they end up getting there first. Read more

August 11, 2023 - DOD Announces Establishment Of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force. "We must also consider the extent to which our adversaries will employ this technology and seek to disrupt our own use of AI-based solutions". Read more

August 11, 2023 - National Guard Takes On Maui Wildfires Leaving Over 53 Dead. A dry summer coupled with strong winds from a nearby hurricane have spread destructive, fast-moving wildfires,leaving more than [updated to 53] people dead and destroying hundreds of structures on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Read more

August 10, 2023 - Coast Guard, Partners Continue Mass Rescue Operations from Maui Fires. The Coast Guard, federal, state, and local partners are responding to the Lahaina wildfires in Maui, Hawaii. Read more

August 10, 2023 - Likely Carcinogen Found At US Missile Base After Military Investigates Blood Cancer Cases In Base Personnel. In 2001 U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFAM) completed a review of Malmstrom cancer concerns showing no increased rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma among missileers. Read more

August 9, 2023 - Mexico & Canada Replace China As Leading US Trade Partners. Data from the International Trade Administration and the United States Census Bureau shows Mexico taking the lead as trade partner in 2023, with Canada taking second a close place. Read more

August 2, 2023 - US Capital Police Responding To 911 Call Around Senate Office. "Everyone inside should be sheltering in place as the report was for a possible active shooter. It should be noted that we do not have any confirmed reports of gunshots". Read more

July 25, 2023 - The Department of Defense has announced an additional $400 million in security assistance to Ukraine, making it the 43rd drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August of 2021. Read more

July 25, 2023 - US Air Force Central: "On July 23 Russian military aircraft deployed flares, damaging a U.S. MQ-9 while conducting a defeat-ISIS mission". Read more

July 20, 2023 - Biden Administration Announces Additional $1.3 Billion In Security Assistance for Ukraine. Department of Defense: Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced a new $1.3 billion security assistance package to support Ukraine's battlefield needs and underscore unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine. Read more

July 18, 2023 - NASA’s Starling Mission Deployed Swarm Of CubeSats Satellites Into Low Earth Orbit. NASA: "The Starling swarm will power up and attempt initial contact with the ground; a process that may occur overnight or in the next several days". Read more

July 14, 2023 - U.S. President Joe Biden is mobilizing 3,000 reserve soldiers to active duty in Europe in order to support U.S. soldiers currently deployed there for Operation Atlantic Resolve. Read more

July 8, 2023 - Russia Responds To US Decision To Send Cluster Munitions To Ukraine. In 2022, in response to reports Russia had used cluster bombs in Ukraine, the White House said the usage of cluster munitions would "potentially" be a war crime. Read more

July 8, 2023 - July 8th, 2023: NORAD intercepts aircraft violating restricted airspace over Rehoboth. July 3rd, 2023: NORAD detects Russian aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone. Read more

July 8, 2023 - Increased Truebot Activity Infects U.S. and Canada Based Networks. Truebot is a botnet that has been used by malicious cyber groups like CL0P Ransomware Gang to collect and exfiltrate information from its target victims. Read more

July 8, 2023 - The United States has finished destroying its entire chemical weapons stockpile, which now means that 100% of the world’s declared chemical stockpiles have been destroyed. Read more

June 26, 2023 - North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD): NORAD is aware of reports of a high-altitude balloon over Montana. Read more

June 21, 2023 - Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area for the missing submersible from Polar Prince. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Read more

June 15, 2023 - Threat Actors Exploit Vulnerabilities in Multiple U.S. Government Servers. "Analysts determined that multiple cyber threat actors, including an advanced persistent threat (APT) actor, were able to exploit a .NET deserialization vulnerability". Read more

June 13, 2023 - Central Command has reported a helicopter mishap leading to the injury of 22 United States service members. The cause of the incident is under investigation, although no enemy fire was reported. Read more

June 12, 2023 - As geopolitical tensions continue to mount across the world, global powers are beginning to increase their usable nuclear warheads, with China leading the way. Read more

June 11, 2023 - China Deepened Cooperation In "All Fields" at "All Levels" With Cuba In 2017. Chinese state media openly stated their plans to deepen ties with the country in 2017, which included military-to-military relations. Read more

June 11, 2023 - Iran: West Cannot Stop Us If We Want To Become A Nuclear State. The IRGC has repeatedly threatened to wipe out Israel if it makes any 'mistakes', and also threatened to turn locations within the United States into "hellish ruins". Read more

June 8, 2023 - US/CANADA - Many areas within the eastern United States that were condition purple are now red, orange, or yellow indicating that the air quality is improving. Read more

June 8, 2023 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): NOAA satellites are monitoring more than 400 fires currently burning across Canada after unusually hot and dry weather triggered an early and intense start to the wildfire season. Canada is on track to have the worst wildfire season on record. Read more

June 8, 2023 - NASA: In the first week of the month, large amounts of smoke from fires in Quebec poured south into the eastern U.S. and degraded the quality of surface-level air that tens of millions of people breathe. Read more

June 7, 2023 - Federal Aviation Administration statement: “The FAA has slowed traffic to and from New York City area airports due to reduced visibility from wildfire smoke. The agency will continue to adjust the volume of traffic to account for the rapidly changing conditions”. Read more

June 5, 2023 - In coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, NORAD F-16 fighter aircraft responded to an unresponsive Cessna 560 Citation V aircraft over Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia on June 4, 2023. Read more

June 3rd, 2023 - The FBI released a joint CSA with our USG and South Korean partners detailing the operations of Kimsuky cyber actors, a subset of DPRK cyber actors. It outlines warning signs of spearphishing campaigns. Read more

June 1st, 2023 - Chinese citizens have attempted to access United States military facilities in Alaska pretending to be tourists, but are suspected by U.S. officials as being spies. Read more

US Navy Conducts Scheduled Unarmed Trident II Missile Test From Submarine - "Launch was conducted from the sea, the missile flew over the sea and landed in the sea. At no time did the missile fly over land".

U.S. NAVY: SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - The U.S. Navy's Strategic Systems Programs conducted a scheduled, missile test flight of an unarmed life-extended Trident II (D5LE) missile from USS Louisiana (SSBN-743), an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, on the Western Test Range off the coast of San Diego, California, at approximately 2:10 p.m. [on September 27th, 2023].

This test marks 191 successful missile launches of the Trident II (D5 & D5LE) strategic weapon system (SWS) missile since it began operations in 1989. Trident II missile remains unmatched in its reliability. Demonstration and Shakedown Operation: Read More.

Released From North Korea, U.S. Soldier Now in Texas, Will Be Debriefed - "Private King arrived ... early in the morning to San Antonio, where he will be going through a reintegration program".

Department of Defense: This week, Army Pvt. Travis T. King was released from North Korean custody and returned to American authorities. King is now back in the U.S., in San Antonio, Texas, said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.

"Private King arrived ... early in the morning to San Antonio, where he will be going through a reintegration program," Singh said. "He'll be going through medical screenings, medical evaluations, and then he'll be meeting with professionals to assess his emotional and mental health ... and he'll be meeting with counselors." King Will Be Debriefed By U.S. Military Officials About What Happened In North Korea: Read More.

DOD: Key Official Says Shutdown Would Damage National Defense - Department of Defense: "Congress must fund the government or pass a continuing resolution by the end of the fiscal year on Saturday to avoid a government shutdown on Oct. 1".

Department of Defense: Congress has until the end of this week to fund the federal government or agree on a continuing resolution to keep the government funded. Absent either of those actions, the government will shut down starting Oct. 1.

A CR would be "bad," but a shutdown would be "horrible," said William A. LaPlante, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment. What A Government Shutdown Would Look Like For The DOD: Read More

Soldier Returned To US Custody After Crossing Into North Korea - Travis King was transferred out of North Korea and into China with the aid of the Swedish government after North Korea said that they had completed their investigation of King.

Luanda, Angola - According to the Pentagon the U.S. soldier who illegally crossed the border into North Korea in July is now in the custody of the United States.

Travis King was transferred out of North Korea and into China with the aid of the Swedish government after North Korea said that they had completed their investigation of King. Senior Administration Official: No Concessions Took Place For The Exchange: Read More.

US Southern Border Update - Last 7 Days Of Major Activity - Statements from the U.S. Department of State, Justice Department, Coast Guard, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

US SOUTHERN BORDER - Last 7 days of major activity along and around the United States southern border, including statements from the U.S. Department of State, Justice Department, Coast Guard, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Read More.

Oversight Committee: Wires from China Have Joe Biden’s Wilmington Home as the Beneficiary Address - Such transactions and connections in relation to both the former office of the Vice President and the current office of the President of the United States pose a risk to national security.

WASHINGTON - The Committee on Oversight and Accountability has released a statement saying that bank wires have been revealed from China that list Joe Biden's home address as the beneficiary address.

This is being reported on because such transactions and connections in relation to both the former office of the Vice President and the current office of the President of the United States pose a prior, current, and future risk to national security. Read More.

CBP: U.S. - Mexico Meeting on Joint Actions to Further Enhance Border Security - CBP’s Office of Field Operations has resumed operations at the international railway crossing bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection: WASHINGTON - U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy A. Miller met with senior officials from the Government of Mexico and the railway industry in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico Friday to discuss action to address enhanced border security operations in response to increased encounters. Read More.

Texas Governor Renews Border Disaster Declaration Amid "Historic Influx" - The mayor of Eagle Pass, Texas also declared a state of emergency for the city after 5,000 illegal immigrants crossed over the border from Piedras Negras, Mexico.

TEXAS - Governor Greg Abbott has issued a proclamation and renewed a border disaster declaration issued on May 31st, 2021, and bolstered border security in order to stem what he calls a "historic influx" and avoid "imminent disaster" from the surge of individuals unlawfully crossing the Texas-Mexico border. Read More, See Declaration.

Russian Foreign Minister Says West Directly Fighting Russia - Lavrov: "You can call it anything you want, but they are fighting with us, they are straight-up fighting with us".

MOSCOW - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that the West is "straight-up" fighting with Russia using the "hands and bodies" of the Ukrainian people, also pointing out Western mercenaries fighting for Ukraine.

At a U.N. news conference, Lavrov said, "You can call it anything you want, but they are fighting with us, they are straight-up fighting with us. We call it a hybrid war, but that doesn't change things". Lavrov: West Is "De Facto Fighting Against Us": Read More.

Coast Guard Rescues 5 From Sailing Vessel During Tropical Storm Ophelia - The Coast Guard rescued five people Friday from an anchored 38-foot catamaran that was beset by weather conditions caused by Tropical Storm Ophelia. Storm Projections:

U.S. Coast Guard: PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The Coast Guard rescued five people Friday from an anchored 38-foot catamaran that was beset by weather conditions caused by Tropical Storm Ophelia within Lookout Bight in Cape Lookout, North Carolina.

The owner of the sailing vessel Wanderful Life used a cell phone to call Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders on Friday evening at 7:13 p.m. and report his concern with local weather while being anchored within Lookout Bight.

The owner of the vessel did not feel comfortable in the channel and requested to be rescued by the Coast Guard. All passengers aboard were wearing lifejackets and three of them were children, ages 10, 7, and 4. Full statement, current Storm Projections, Satellite Photos and Other Statements:Read More.

Coast Guard Sets Port Condition Zulu For Virginia Ports In Anticipation Of Tropical Storm Ophelia - U.S. Coast Guard: Portsmouth, Va. – The Captain of the Port for Coast Guard Sector Virginia has set Port Condition Zulu for the Port of Virginia at 4 p.m. Friday due to predicted tropical storm force winds generated by Tropical Storm Ophelia.

Information can also be obtained on small craft advisories and warnings on VHF radio channel 16. What Is Port Condition Zulu? Storm Projections And Satellite Images: Read More

Homeland Security Investigations announces Strategy for Combatting Illicit Opioids - HSI: The strategy announced today uses HSI’s unique access to customs and financial data to prevent shipments of drug precursor chemicals from reaching U.S. borders.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: "WASHINGTON - Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) today released the Strategy for Combating Illicit Opioids—an intelligence-driven approach to disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and keeping dangerous substances, like illicit fentanyl driving the overdose epidemic, off America’s streets.

To advance the Unity Agenda Strategy to beat the overdose epidemic, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working with partners at every level of government to stop the illicit flow of fentanyl into the country, including through various surge campaigns launched this year. What Is The New Strategy?.

City Of Eagle Pass, Texas Issues Emergency Declaration Over Illegal Immigrant Surge - City of Eagle Pass, Texas: "Eagle Pass, TX – Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. issued and signed an emergency declaration due to the severe undocumented immigrant surge into the City of Eagle Pass, Texas.

Therefore, a local state of disaster has been declared for the City of Eagle Pass. The state of disaster shall continue for a period of seven (7) days from the date of this declaration, unless renewed by the City Council of the City of Eagle Pass, Texas. September 19, 2023". Read Emergency Declaration.

US Foreign Military Sales To Canada, Poland, Korea Totaling $5.7 Billion - U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency: U.S. Foreign military sales to Poland, Korea, and Canada total $5.7 billion. To Korea: F-35 aircraft & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, Poland: F-16 sustainment, and related equipment, Canada: MQ-9B munitions and other integrated systems.

More About The Foreign Military Sales To Canada, Poland, and South Korea: Read More.

DOD Exercises Option on Second Micro Nuclear Reactor Design - A micro-nuclear reactor can be made small and portable, is self-adjusting and would be able to be transported by land, sea or by air.

Department of Defense: As part of the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) initiative Project Pele, the Department of Defense (DOD) has awarded a contract option to X-energy, LLC of Rockville, Maryland in order to develop an enhanced engineering design for a transportable micro nuclear reactor. Read More.

46 Illegal Aliens Considered Threat To National Security Arrested During Nationwide Operation - ERO/ICE - 46 Illegal aliens "determined to be a threat to national security" were removed by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) between August 4th and August 25th, 2023. 208 previously deported violent criminals were also referred for federal prosecution by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Read More

In fiscal year 2022, ERO arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories. This group had 198,498 associated charges and convictions, including 21,531 assault offenses; 8,164 sex and sexual assault offenses; 5,554 weapons offenses; 1,501 homicide-related offenses; and 1,114 kidnapping offenses.

Hurricane Lee Update - September 16th, 2023 - Information, Satellite Images, And Coast Guard Statement regarding the status of Hurricane Lee affecting portions of southern New Brunswick and Nova Scotia: Read More.

NORAD Detects Russian Aircraft Operating In The Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone - The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.

NORAD: COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and monitored Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Sept. 14, 2023. More Information On The Incident: Read More.

Hurricane Lee Update For September 14th, 2023 - Tropical storm conditions are possible over a large part of coastal New England, including Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Block Island, and parts of Atlantic Canada.

HURRICANE LEE - Hurricane Lee is expected to impact Bermuda with "tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall, and high surf," as early as Thursday. A Tropical Storm warning is in effect for Bermuda.

Hurricane conditions and coastal flooding are possible for parts of eastern Maine, southern New Brunswick, and western Nova Scotia on Saturday, and a Hurricane Watch has been issued for those locations.

Potential life-threatening storm surge flooding is possible in parts of southeastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and Nantucket late Friday and Saturday, a Storm Surge watch has been issued for those locations.

Tropical storm conditions are possible over a large part of coastal New England, including Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Block Island, and parts of Atlantic Canada. A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for those locations. Satellite Photos, Projections & More Information: Read More.

Possible Closure Of Air, Sea, Land Borders Between Dominican Republic And Haiti September 14th, 2023 - If the closure occurs, U.S. citizens planning to depart Haiti for the Dominican Republic on or after September 14 will not have the ability to do so and will need to make alternate arrangements.

State Department: "Border Between Haiti & the Dominican Republic: The Government of the Dominican Republic has announced the possible closure of air, sea,and land borders between the Dominican Republic and Haiti as of Thursday, September 14. Read More

US waives Sanctions On Iran, Gives $6 Billion In Frozen Funds In Exchange For Prisoner Swap - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the deal between the United States and Iran, saying that it would only give Iran more funds to fund Iranian-backed terrorist organizations.

WASHINGTON - The Biden administration has agreed to issue a blanket waiver to release $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds from international banks and release five Iranian citizens currently being held in the United States in exchange for releasing five U.S. citizens currently being detained by Iran.

According to a document sent to the U.S. congressional committees, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that waving sanctions on Iran for the prisoner swap is within the national security interests of the United States. What The Statement Said, Israel's Reaction To The Deal: Read More.

US House Of Representatives: PRC (Chinese) Theft Of U.S. Thermonuclear Warhead Design Information - US House Of Representatives: PRC (Chinese) Theft Of U.S. Thermonuclear Warhead Design Information.

Read Full Document

North America Hurricane Status For September 11th, 2023 - "Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected to begin along most of the U.S. East Coast Sunday and Monday and worsen through the week".

HURRICANE LEE - The storm is currently a category 3 hurricane and is not expected to hit Florida, and move north of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, which stated, "Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected to begin along most of the U.S. East Coast Sunday and Monday and worsen through the week".

While the hurricane had upgraded to a category 5 storm, it has since been downgraded to a category 3 hurricane. Read More

32 Illegal Immigrant Criminals, 10 Human Traffickers Arrested During Nationwide Operation - 32 illegal immigrant criminals and 10 human traffickers were arrested during nationwide Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) between August and September 2023.

CBP: ERO Newark arrests 18 criminal noncitizens during nationwide enforcement action, ERO Phoenix arrests 14 violent criminals during a statewide operation, 10 human traffickers arrested during multi-agency operation targeting the sex trafficking of minors. Read More

US Coast Guard At Condition X-Ray Due To Hurricane Lee: Today's Updates - "Currently, the Coast Guard Port Condition status for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands remains at Port Condition X-Ray".

U.S. Coast Guard: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The Coast Guard urges recreational boaters, fishermen and beachgoers, and water sports enthusiasts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Friday, to exercise caution during the weekend due to deteriorating sea state conditions and dangerous rip currents associated with Hurricane Lee.

National Weather Service advisories are alerting the possibility of life-threatening rip currents and increased sea states during the weekend ranging from 10 to 15 feet affecting the coastal waters of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“We are concerned about people and boaters who may underestimate the impacts of this passing storm,” said Capt. José E. Díaz, Coast Guard Sector San Juan commander. “

The increase in projected sea states of 10 to 15 feet severely reduces our ability to respond to maritime distress with the full use of our resources. Make the best decision for you and your loved ones and enjoy a safe weekend, monitor marine weather forecasts and heed National Weather Service advisories.”

Coast Guard: Condition X-ray. Hurricane Updates and Projections: Read More.

Russia Responds To US Decision To Send Depleted Uranium Shells To Ukraine - Although mainstream reports that Russian claims about depleted uranium shells are “disinformation,” statements by the U.S. government on the dangers are mixed.

MOSCOW - Russia has responded to the decision by the United States to send depleted uranium shells to Ukraine, saying that it is "very bad news" and that all responsibility for taking this step will "lie with the US leadership".

Russia has repeatedly warned about sending depleted uranium shells to Ukraine, saying that it would be a "serious escalation" and claiming that the shells leave behind radioactive dust that "settles on the ground" contaminating the food supply in the country and leading to outbreaks of cancer.

Although mainstream reports that Russian claims are “disinformation,” statements by the U.S. government on the danger of depleted uranium shells are mixed.

While some government reports claim that the risks from inhaling airborne particles from depleted uranium shells are "very low", other government reports, such as from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Utah National Guard have said that handling depleted uranium rounds is "especially dangerous" and can lead to severe health problems.

Russia’s Response, And What U.S. Government Reports Say About The Dangerous Of Depleted Uranium Shells: Read Full Report.

Biden Administration Announces $600 Million In Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine - The package includes: 20 Mi-17 helicopters, 31 Abrams tanks, 45 T-72B tanks, 38 HMARS, 198 155mm Howitzers, Ground-Launched small-diameter bomb launchers, a Patriot Air Defense System, and more.

WASHINGTON - The Biden Administration has announced an additional $600 million in security assistance for Ukraine, including 20 Mi-17 helicopters, 31 Abrams tanks, 45 T-72B tanks, 38 HMARS systems and ammunition, 198 155mm Howitzers, Ground-Launched small-diameter bomb launchers, a Patriot Air Defense System and munitions, NASAMS surface-to-air missile systems, and more.

A statement by the Department of Defense said that the package is provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and includes equipment to augment Ukraine's air defenses, artillery munitions, and other capabilities. The full capabilities which total up to $600 million, include: See Capabilities | Ukraine Aid Timeline.

Hurricane Lee And Jova Updates: September 7th, 2023 - Hurricane Lee is rapidly strengthening. Large swells are likely to reach the Lesser Antilles, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico as it is expected to turn into a category 5 hurricane this weekend. Current maximum sustained winds: 105 miles per hour as of 3 pm UTC, on Thursday Sep 7th, 2023, according to NOAA. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

NOAA: “Maximum sustained have quickly increased to near 105 mph (165 km/h) with higher gusts. Rapid intensification is expected today and tonight. Lee will likely become a major hurricane later today. Lee is forecast to remain a very strong major hurricane through the weekend.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km).”

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND: SURF: Swells generated by Lee are expected to reach portions of the Lesser Antilles on Friday, and reach the British and U.S.Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Bahamas, and Bermuda this weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office. See full report.

ERO Arrests 36 Illegal Immigrants & Foreign Criminals During Recent National Operation - ERO carried out a National Operation from August 4th to August 25th, 2023, arresting 48 illegal immigrants and foreign criminals.

UNITED STATES - UNITED STATES - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) carried out a National Operation from August 4th to August 25th, 2023, arresting 48 illegal immigrants and foreign criminals in Denver Colorado, Houston Texas, and Salt Lake City Utah. Read More

Coast Guard sets Port Condition WHISKEY for seaports in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands due to Tropical Storm Lee - "The Coast Guard strongly cautions the maritime community to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions as Tropical Storm Lee approaches the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico".

U.S. Coast Guard: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Coast Guard Captain of the Port San Juan set Port Condition WHISKEY Wednesday for all seaports in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to Tropical Storm Lee.

The Coast Guard strongly cautions the maritime community to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions as Tropical Storm Lee approaches the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on a west-northwest track across the Central Atlantic. What Is Condition WHISKEY? Important Advisories: Read More.

DoD: $175 Million In Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine, Including Depleted Uranium Rounds - The package “includes additional air defense equipment; artillery munitions; anti-tank weapons, including depleted uranium rounds for previously committed Abrams tanks; and other equipment”. Timeline Of Ukraine Assistance.

WASHINGTON - The Department of Defense has announced $175 million in additional security assistance to Ukraine, which includes depleted uranium shells for the Abrams tanks already given to Ukraine.

The package “includes additional air defense equipment; artillery munitions; anti-tank weapons, including depleted uranium rounds for previously committed Abrams tanks; and other equipment”.

Read Full Report.

Air Force Tests Minuteman III ICBM With 3 Re-entry Vehicles - The Air Force Global Strike Command launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with three test re-entry vehicles.

AIR FORCE - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - "A joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and 30th Space Launch Delta Guardians launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with three test re-entry vehicles on Sept. 6 at 1:26 a.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities intended to demonstrate that the United States’ nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable, and effective to deter twenty-first-century threats and reassure our allies.

Such tests have occurred over 300 times before, and this test is not the result of current world events." Read More

Officials: Chinese Citizens Intrude On US Military Bases Up To 100 Times - Although some of the incursions appeared to be accidental, Some of the incidents occurred in areas outside of known tourists locations, in rural areas, and away from airports.

WASHINGTON - U.S. officials say that Chinese citizens have intruded on U.S. military facilities identifying as tourists up to 100 times, including military bases after a previous report earlier this year cited officials as saying that Chinese citizens suspected to be spies were posing as tourists attempting to gain access to Alaskan military bases.

Officials have said that they believe the incidents are attempts to test the security protocols at the sites by Chinese nationals who have been "pressed into service" and told to report their findings back to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Read Full Report.

Operation Northwoods Unclassified Document - Subject: "Justification for US military intervention in Cuba".

The operation was a false flag operation by the CIA that planned the staging of terrorist actions on civilian and military targets located within the United States in order to garner public support for engaging in a war with Cuba and ousting then Cuban communist leader Fidel Castro. Read More.

Maui Wildfire Updates - September 3rd, 2023 - The number of people declared dead as a result of the Maui wildfire remains at 115, with an unknown number still missing or unaccounted for.

MAUI, HAWAII - The number of people declared dead as a result of the Maui wildfire remains at 115, with an unknown number still missing or unaccounted for. In August it was estimated that there were around 1,300 people still missing after the wildfire.

FIRE UPDATE - Olinda fire: Remains 85% contained. Estimated 1,081 acres. Kula fire: Remains 90% contained. Estimated 202 acres. Lahaina fire: Remains 90% contained. Estimated 2,170 acres.

Unified Command Expanded To Address Maritime Hazards And Pollution Threats Following Maui Wildfire, Disaster Updates, updated list of names for missing and unaccounted for: Read More

Defense Department: 400 Troops On US Southern Border Extended - UNITED STATES - The stationing of up to 400 troops on the southern border with Mexico has been extended through September, according to a spokesman for the Pentagon, while 1,500 were withdrawn and sent home.

Pentagon spokesperson, Lt. Col. Devin T. Robinson spoke to NBC News on Thursday and said, “On August 24, 2023, the Secretary of Defense approved an extension of up to 400 personnel providing support to Customs and Border Protection on the Southwest border through September 30, 2023".

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin had approved the initial deployment of 1,500 military personnel to the southern border for a 90-day period of time in May in order to supplement the Department of Homeland Security to suppress the large number of illegal immigrants crossing over the border into the United States.

July Saw Spike In Illegal Immigrants Crossing Over June, With 50% Rise In Children Crossing The Border: Read More

USSCOCOM Awards Contract To Deploy AI Tool To Detect Disinformation Threats - Accrete states that Argus is capable of countering misinformation, detecting insider threats, supply chain influence, anti-money laundering, competitive intelligence, and background checking.

NEW YORK - After U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) awarded Accrete with a five-year multi-million dollar Other Transaction Production (OT-P) software licensing contract for a duel-use open-source anomaly/threat detection software called Argus in 2021, the company has now been awarded a new contract to deploy the AI detection software to detect "disinformation threats" on social media, and other online platforms.

According to Accrete, Argus is a "real-time" and "continuously learning" AI threat detection software with the ability to "learn from sparse data" and configurable to be used for social media intelligence, reverse engineering, and logistics disruption for both governmental uses, as well as commercial. What The AI Threat Detection Software Does, And Its Potential To Be Used As A Tool To Target Americans: Read Full Report.

Hurricane Idalia & Coast Guard Updates: August 31st, 2023 - PORTSMOUTH, Va. − U.S. Coast Guard: "Coast Guard Sector Virginia urges the public to exercise caution as the region is impacted by significant weather from Hurricane Idalia, Thursday.

Gale-force winds are expected to arrive Thursday evening and remain through Friday. Sustained northeast winds between 34-40 mph are anticipated at Cape Henry, Cape Charles, and the Chesapeake Bay with possible gusts as high as 51 mph, resulting in hazardous marine conditions.

Eight-foot seas offshore are expected Thursday through Friday. These conditions create life-threatening beach hazards, including dangerous rip currents and large battering waves." Read More.

Biden Administration Announces $250 Million In Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine - Dod: "This announcement is the Biden Administration's forty-fifth tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021".

Department of Defense: Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs. This announcement is the Biden Administration's forty-fifth tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.

It includes additional air defense and artillery munitions, mine-clearing equipment, medical vehicles, and other equipment to help Ukraine counter Russia's ongoing war of aggression on the battlefield and protect its people. Read More | Ukraine Aid Timeline

Florida National Guard Activated, Hurricane Idalia Expected To Reach Florida By Morning - "3,000 guardsmen in position across the state for preparedness and response efforts, and an additional 1,800 guardsmen are on their way".

Department of Defense: Miami - Florida National Guard Activated as Hurricane Idalia Approaches. Hurricane Idalia is on track to reach Florida's west coast by tomorrow morning.

Idalia "may bring a life-threatening storm surge to portions of the Florida Gulf Coast, as well as strong winds and significant flooding across Southeastern states," according to a Federal Emergency Management Agency report posted to its website this afternoon.

FEMA is closely coordinating with affected states and stands ready to provide support. FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams are deployed to affected areas to provide support as needed and additional supplies and teams are on standby, according to the report.

3,000 Guardsmen In Position, 1,800 On Way To Florida. Hurricane Prediction Maps, CBP Makes Preparations, And Other Information: Read More.

Idalia Strengthens Into Hurricane As It Heads Toward Western Florida - FLORIDA - After hitting Cuba as a tropical storm, NOAA reports that Idalia, now a hurricane is strengthening as it heads toward western Florida. See Current Projections.

Global Wildfire Update: North American Wildfire Smoke Reaching Europe - North American Wildfire Smoke Reaching Europe. Wildfires continue to burn across the world.

Wildfire maps for each country: See Current Wildfire Maps.

Coast Guard establishes Area Command Post ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia, Storm Projections - Idalia is expected to build in strength and severity and impact western Florida as a hurricane.

U.S. Coast Guard: MIAMI - The Seventh Coast Guard District has established an Area Command Post in advance of Tropical Storm Idalia, Monday, at Coast Guard Air Station Miami in Opa Locka, Florida.

To report marine distress or emergencies, please dial 911 or call the Coast Guard on VHF marine radio Channel 16. Social media is not monitored 24/7 and should never be used to report life-threatening distress or law enforcement emergencies.

Effective 8:00 p.m. EST on August 28th, 2023, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Charleston, South Carolina sets Port Condition X-RAY for coastal South Carolina. Threatening winds (34 kts/39 mph) from Hurricane Idalia are possible along the coast of South Carolina within 48 hours.

USCG Sector Jacksonville sets Port Condition X-ray for the Ports of Fernandina, Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, and all other Northeast Florida terminals and facilities at 1200 p.m. on August 28th.

Sector Key West has set Port Condition Yankee ahead of potential tropical storm conditions from Idalia. Everyone on the water in the Florida Keys should continue to prepare for the possible arrival of high winds, rain, and storm surge. Read Full Report.

Florida SOCCENT Air Force Base Declares HURCON 3 Zone A Evac - ZONE A EVACUATION ORDER Colonel Adam Bingham, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

US Special Operations Command Central: "ZONE A EVACUATION ORDER Colonel Adam Bingham, MacDill Air Force Base (located in Florida) Commander, has issued an installation-wide MANDATORY ZONE A evacuation to be completed by Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 10:00 a.m. EST for non-mission essential individuals and dependents.

This includes uniformed service members and their dependents and civilian employees and their dependents assigned to MacDill Air Force Base who reside in Hillsborough, Sarasota, Manatee, Pinellas, Pasco & Hernando counties Evacuation Zone A only. Read More | Emergency Declaration.

FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for October 4th, 2023 - Test Messages Will be Sent to All TVs, Radios, and Cell Phones.

WASHINGTON - FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall.

What The Test Will Consist Of: Read More.

Tropical Storm Isalia Expected To Hit Florida As Hurricane: Storm Projections - "Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 23-171, declaring a state of emergency for 33 counties".

FLORIDA - Tropical storm Idalia is expected to strengthen as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico's warm water strengthen into a hurricane and make landfall along Florida's coast, according to projections. See Projections & Emergency Declaration.

FDACS Identifies Potential Fuel Contamination at the Port of Tampa In Florida - Citgo releases list of affected gas stations and claims process for impacted customers.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has identified a potentially widespread fuel contamination caused by human error at the Port of Tampa.

Citgo released the following list of affected Florida gas stations: Fuel purchased after 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, at stations supplied by Citgo from the Port of Tampa has a strong likelihood of being contaminated. More On This

• Big Dan's Car Wash: 39522 US Highway 19 N., Tarpon Springs
• 7-Eleven: 3437 US Highway 19, Holiday
• 7-Eleven: 13411 Fish Hawk Boulevard, Lithia
• 7-Eleven: 4325 Lee Boulevard, Lehigh Acres
• 7-Eleven: 12750 South Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers
• 7-Eleven: 290 Lakeland Park Road, Lakeland
• 7-Eleven: 720 Chiquita Boulevard, North Cape Coral
• 7-Eleven: 2604 Skyline Boulevard, Cape Coral
• 7-Eleven: 940 S Broad St., Brooksville
• 7-Eleven: 1626 Meadow Road, Lehigh Acres
• 7-Eleven: 2401 James Redman Parkway, Plant City
• 7-Eleven: 601 Pine Island Rd. S.W., Cape Coral
• 7-Eleven: 6050 Dean Dairy Road, Zephyrhills
• 7-Eleven: 714 Burnt Store Road, Cape Coral
• BJ's Wholesale: 1929 Pine Island Road N.E., Cape Coral
• BJ's Wholesale: 9372 Ben C Pratt Six Mile Cypress Pkwy., Fort Myers
• BJ's Wholesale: 13585 NE 86th Path, Lady Lakes
• Handy Foods Store #86: 21321 Palm Beach Blvd., Alva
• Handy Foods Store #87: 3205 Lee Blvd., Lehigh Acres
• Superday CITGO: 1595 South McCall Road, Port Charlotte
• Bolton One LLC: 15434 US Highway 19, Hudson
• JHW #310 - DBA Avenue CITGO: 11867 N. Williams St., Dunellon
• AL Prime - Daytona Beach: 1898 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach
• Quick & Easy Stop: 4529 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota
• Palmers Easy Stop: 903 Cattleman Rd., Sarasota
• Faulkenburg CITGO: 5320 Faulkenburg Road, Tampa
• Choice Food & Gas: 310 N Central Ave., Umatilla
• 2K Express 5: 6202 N 40th St., Tampa
• Perfection Station 5: 9931 N Florida Ave., Tampa

3 Marines Killed, 20 Injured In Osprey Tiltrotor Aircraft Crash - The incident took place at approximately 9:30 a.m. There were a total of 23 personnel on board.

AUSTRALIA - Three Marines were killed and 20 injured after a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey crashed on Melville Island, north of Darwin Australia while transporting troops during a "routine training exercise". See Full Report

Unarmed Minuteman III Test Launch To Showcase Readiness Of US Nuclear Forces - Space Force: "The purpose of the ICBM test launch program is to demonstrate the readiness of U.S. nuclear forces".

Space Force: Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. - An operational test launch of an Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is scheduled for Sept. 5, 2023, from 11:47 p.m. to Sept. 6, 5:47 a.m. Pacific Time from North Vandenberg.

The purpose of the ICBM test launch program is to demonstrate the readiness of U.S. nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear deterrent, according to Air Force Global Strike Command.

This test is routine and was scheduled years in advance. Consistent with previous test launches, this ICBM test launch will validate and verify the effectiveness, readiness, and accuracy of the weapon system.

In accordance with standard procedures, the United States has transmitted a pre-launch notification pursuant to the Hague Code of Conduct, and notified the Russian government in advance, per our existing bi-lateral obligations. Read On Defcon Alerts.

Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States Jerome Powell On Inflation - Powell: Inflation has moved down from its peak, it yet "remains too high," adding that the Federal Reserve is prepared to "raise the rates further if appropriate".

WASHINGTON - Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States Jerome Powell delivered a message on the state of the economy, where he said that although the inflation level has moved down from its peak, it yet "remains too high," adding that the Federal Reserve is prepared to "raise the rates further if appropriate" and intends to hold a restrictive policy until they are confident that inflation is moving "sustainably down toward our objective".

Full Message/Video By Jerome Powell Regarding Inflation: See Video/Message.

CBP Seize Over $910K In Cocaine, Ice Removes Fugitive Wanted For Homicide In Mexico, Non-citizen Wanted For Rape Of Minor In Ecuador - CBP: $910,000 worth of cocaine seized, ICE removed a fugitive wanted for homicide in Mexico, and Officers with ERO removed a noncitizen wanted in Ecuador for the rape of a minor.

UNITED STATES - U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized over $910,000 worth of Cocaine at the World Trade Bridge. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removed a fugitive wanted for homicide in Mexico, and Officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) removed a noncitizen wanted in Ecuador for the rape of a minor.

The non-citizen wanted for homicide has previously been expelled from the United States four times since April 2022 pursuant to Title 42. A criminal records search determined that another man had an active warrant in Ecuador for the rape of a minor. Seizure And Removal Details

Hawaii Wildfire Disaster Update - August 25th, 2023 - The County of Maui, Hawaii has released a list of 388 names of the missing or unaccounted for after the fires that raged through Maui.

HAWAII - The County of Maui, Hawaii has released a list of 388 names of the missing or unaccounted for after the fires that raged through Maui. The names are listed at the end of the report on the Defcon Alerts Platform.

The County asks that if anyone finds their name, or someone they know on the list that is very much alive and well please contact the FBI at (808) 566-4300 or [email protected] as soon as possible.

LATEST FIRE UPDATE: Olinda fire: remains 85% contained. Estimated 1,081 acres. A helicopter was deployed before sunset on Tuesday, 8/22, to help reach hot spots.

Pulehu / Kihei fire: declared 100% contained 8/12.

The Lahaina fire: remains 90% contained. Estimated 2,170 acres. There have been no noteworthy flareups in recent days.

Kula fire: remains 85% contained. Estimated 202 acres. MFD crews have been extinguishing hot spots in the Kula fire using hand crews and a helicopter. Fire activity is mostly located in hard-to-reach gulches. Flareups and reports of smoke have been well within the burn area, and have not posed any threat to public safety or fire expansion.

The report on our platform includes the most recent Maui County wildfire alerts/news, as well as updates from the Department of Defense. Read Full Report

U.S. Will Train Ukrainian F-16 Pilots, Ground Crews, DoD Holds Press Briefing - DoD: The U.S.-led training is "in support of the international effort to develop and strengthen Ukraine's long-term defenses".

The Defense Department will begin training Ukrainians to fly and maintain F-16 fighter jets in the coming months, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder said today.

The training is expected to begin in October at the Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, and will be facilitated by the Air National Guard's 162nd Wing.

The U.S.-led training is "in support of the international effort to develop and strengthen Ukraine's long-term defenses," Ryder said.

The Netherlands and Denmark have announced their intentions to make F-16 aircraft from their fleets available to Ukraine.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken signaled the United States' willingness to approve the third-party transfer of the U.S.-made F-16s to Ukraine in a letter to his European counterparts last week.

Training To Be Provided By US, To Compliment F-16 Pilot Training Currently Underway, DoD Press Briefing: Full Report & Press Briefing.

Pentagon Official Calls for Total Force Focus on Emerging Biothreats - DoD: "The U.S. faces an unprecedented number of complex biological threats posed by near-peer competitors, non-state actors and naturally occurring pandemics".

Department of Defense: The Defense Department has reached a pivotal point in responding to the quickly evolving biological threat landscape, a senior Pentagon official said today.

Deborah G. Rosenblum, assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical, and biological defense programs, said the U.S. faces an unprecedented number of complex biological threats posed by near-peer competitors, non-state actors and naturally occurring pandemics that require an integrated, departmentwide focus.

"These threats certainly impact the readiness and resilience of our military forces," Rosenblum said. "Biodefense is no longer something that's the purview of just specialized units who have traditionally been worried about these threats".

"Integrated deterrence requires a combat credible force," she continued. "And to be combat credible, the whole joint force must be capable of fighting through biothreats and being resilient."

Earlier this month, the Pentagon released its inaugural Biodefense Posture Review which lays out key reforms aimed at positioning the department to counter bio-threats through 2035.

Enhanced Early Warning And Understanding Of Emerging Biothreats: Read More.

Hawaii Wildfire Updates: Death Toll Rises To 115, Over 1,000 Still Missing - Of the 2,500 people that were initially declared missing, 1,400 people have been found, leaving about 1,100 people still unaccounted for.

HAWAII - The death toll as a result of the wildfires has risen to 115, with over 1,000 still missing, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Of the 2,500 people that were initially declared missing, 1,400 people have been found, leaving about 1,100 people still unaccounted for.

Maui Police Chef John Pelletier said at a news conference that during the September 11th attacks thousands of people were never recovered. “We don’t have that type of devastation ... but we have an entire town that’s destroyed. We’re going to do everything we can to get that right,” he stated.

He added that the county has plans to release a list of those who are still missing in the coming days, once it’s been better “scrubbed”. He added that with some of the missing they only have a first name written down. “There is no secrecy. We want to make sure we’re as respectful as we can”. See Full Report & Names Released So Far.

United States Renews Do Not Travel Alert For Ukraine - Event: The U.S. Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens do not travel to Ukraine. Message for U.S. Citizens Considering Travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Kyiv, Ukraine (August 22, 2023) Location: Uman, Ukraine.

Event: The U.S. Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens do not travel to Ukraine. This recommendation applies to U.S. citizens considering travel to Uman during Rosh Hashanah for the pilgrimage to the grave of Rebbe Nachman.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, all parts of the country have experienced Russian airstrikes hitting civilian buildings and critical infrastructure, including houses of worship, often with little or no warning.

Uman has been the site of multiple Russian missile attacks as recently as June. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv continues to operate with reduced staffing and has limited capacity to assist U.S. citizens in Ukraine.

Why The State Department’s Current Travel Advisory for Ukraine Is Level 4: Do Not Travel: Read More.

DoD: U.S. Open to Training Ukrainian F-16 Pilots if Needed, Hawaii Update - US Department of Defense: Last week, in a letter from Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to counterparts in Europe, the U.S. signaled its willingness to approve the third-party transfer of U.S.- made F-16 aircraft to Ukraine.

Both the Netherlands and Denmark have announced their intentions to make F-16 aircraft from their own fleets available to Ukraine.

Regarding ongoing efforts in Hawaii, Joint Task Force 5-0 is now at full operational capacity and is actively synchronizing DOD support of operations there.

The Department of Defense said that the task force's mission is to support and augment the efforts of county, state, and federal authorities in Hawaii to ensure the people of Maui receive necessary aid and assistance. Read Full Report.

Foreign Military Sale To Poland – AH-64E Apache Helicopters - WASHINGTON, August 21, 2023 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Poland of AH-64E Apache Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $12.0 billion.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

Total AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters: 96, Other Weapons And Military Equipment Read Full Report.

Global Wildfire Locations For Last 24 Hours - August 21st, 2023 - National Weather Service Seattle: "Air quality remains poor across most of Washington this morning, though improvement can be seen along the coast and through the Strait of Juan de Fuca as onshore flow is beginning to mix smoke out of the area".

Fires are still burning across the globe, maps included below show wildfires in Africa, Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and North America. There are relatively few fires in Russia. Whether that is due to a lack of sensors in the region is unknown. See Global Wildfire Maps.

Current North America & California Wildfires - August 20th, 2023 - Wildfires continue to burn across North America and California affecting regional air quality and creating breathing hazards.

Smoke from the wildfires continues to bow across the United States and Canada. Alaska is currently relatively free of smoke on the wildfire maps.

Washington state currently has purple and maroon air quality warnings which indicates the air is "hazardous" and "very unhealthy" across the central part of the state.

Air quality is in the yellow, indicating the air is moderately unhealthy across the north eastern, central and south eastern United States as well as some parts of the western United States. North America Air Quality Maps.

CBP Southern Border Statistics: July 2023 - U.S.Customs and Border Protection: Washington- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today released operational statistics for July 2023.

“Every day, the men and women of CBP are rescuing and rendering aid to individuals sent into harm’s way by callous smugglers, while at the same time, increasing seizures of dangerous drugs,and processing high volumes of summer travelers.”

The following are key operational statistics for CBP’s primary mission areas in July 2023: View Statistics.

DOD, FEMA Fully Engaged in Maui Recovery and Assistance Efforts - FEMA: "So far, we have approved more than $5.6 million in assistance to nearly 2,000 households including more than $2.3 million in initial rental assistance for Maui Fires survivors."

Department of Defense: Joint Task Force 5-0 is supporting the efforts of county, state, and federal authorities on Maui, Hawaii, ensuring that the residents receive all necessary assistance available, said the task force commander.

"I want to reiterate our commitment to the residents of Maui County and the broader Hawaiian community. The combined strength of our military and civilian partners is making a significant impact on the ground, and I'm immensely proud of every individual contributing to these efforts.

We will continue to support and aid local, state, and federal authorities and partners, ensuring that we offer the best possible support in the days and weeks ahead," said Army Brig. Gen. Stephen F. Logan during a press conference today.

The wildfire has killed more than 100 people and destroyed much of the city of Lahaina. U.S. Army Pacific published a statement today on its support of the disaster, including the efforts of the Hawaii National Guard and JTF 5-0.

According to the statement, the support includes: See Full Report.

Hawaii Wildfires: 111 Dead, Around 1,300 Still Missing - LAHAINA - As of August 16th, 2023 Maui County has confirmed that 111 people have died as a result of the wildfires, with around 1,300 people still missing and 40% of the area has been searched, according to a statement released on August 17th.

The number of dead is expected to continue rising due to the high number of individuals that are yet to be accounted for, as well as the difficult and slow process of identifying remains that have been found.

The update by the county stated, "The number of confirmed fatalities is 111, the Maui Police Department reported 8/16. Police reported that 40 percent of the area has been searched". See Full Report & Containment Progress.

US Approves Sending F-16 Fighter Jets To Ukraine - WASHINGTON - The United States approves Denmark and the Netherlands sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine after the Ukrainian pilots are finished training for the aircraft, according to a Reuters report citing a U.S. Official.

As Denmark and the Netherlands asked for assurances that the United States would expedite the approval, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made assurances in letters to officials from both countries.

Blinken’s Letters Expressing Full Support By US For Transfer Of F-16 Fighter Jets To Ukraine: Read More.

DOD Unveils Collaborative Bio-defense Reforms in Posture Review - Department of Defense: Today, DOD released the Biodefense Posture Review, outlining reforms aimed to posture the department to fight and win in the face of future biothreats.

"The Biodefense Posture Review was a whole of DOD effort," said Sasha Baker, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

"The biodefense enterprise came together during COVID-19 response efforts, and building on that collaboration, developed guidance to achieve National Defense Strategy priorities and address biological threats, especially those with strategic consequences for the U.S. military."

"We face an unprecedented number of complex biological threats," said Deborah Rosenblum, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs.

"The Biodefense Posture Review fully assesses the biological threat landscape through 2035. This review outlines significant reforms and lays the foundation for a resilient total force that deters the use of bioweapons, rapidly responds to natural outbreaks, and minimizes the global risk of laboratory accidents." Read: 2023 Biodefense Posture Review.

DoD: General Says Deterring Two 'Near Peer' Competitors Is Complex - Department of Defense: U.S. Strategic Command is focusing on extended deterrence during a time when the country faces two near-peer rivals, said Air Force Gen. Anthony J. Cotton yesterday.

The command continually assesses the threats and examines the command "for sizing and the right force posture to meet the challenges which we would face," he said during U.S. Strategic Command’s Deterrence Symposium in Omaha, Nebraska.

Russia has long been a near-peer competitor to the United States, with around 5,900 nuclear weapons in manned bombers, intercontinental missiles and submarine-launched platforms.

China today has around 350-400 nuclear weapons, and Chinese leaders have announced a program to have more than 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030. Read Full Report.

Current Active Wildfires: United States & Globally - US database as of today, Copernicus is data from the last 7 days using global thermal sensors.

Current active wildfires in the United States (US government database), as well as globally (European Copernicus government database). US database as of today, Copernicus is data from the last 7 days using global thermal sensors. Global Wildfire Maps | California Incidents | Canadian Wildfire Map.

Cyber Criminals Targeting Victims through Mobile Beta-Testing Applications - The malicious apps enable theft of personally identifiable information (PII), financial account access, or device takeover.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The FBI is warning the public that cybercriminals are embedding malicious code in mobile beta-testing applications (apps) to defraud potential victims.

Beta-testing apps are online services for testing of mobile apps prior to official release. The beta apps typically are not subject to mobile operating systems review processes.

Apps Enable Theft Of Personal Information, Financial Account Access, Device Takeover: The malicious apps enable theft of personally identifiable information (PII), financial account access, or device takeover. The apps may appear legitimate by using names, images, or descriptions similar to popular apps. Read Full Statement.

US Approves Arrow 3 Defense System To Germany - The Arrow 3 weapons system is a major part of Israel's multilayered defense array. This array is based on four layers; Iron Dome and David's Sling, and the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems.

Israeli Ministry of Defense: The US government has approved the historic procurement of the Arrow 3 defense system to Germany.

The IMOD, German Federal MOD, and Israel Aerospace Industries will sign the landmark $3.5 billion defense agreement, marking Israel’s largest-ever defense deal.

DoD: Arrow 3 Major Part Of Israel’s Multilayered Defense: US Department of Defense: "The Arrow 3 weapons system is a major part of Israel's multilayered defense array. This array is based on four layers; Iron Dome and David's Sling, and the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems.

The success of this test is a major milestone in the operational capabilities of Israel and its ability to defend itself against current and future threats in the region.

Arrow 3 interceptors were delivered to the Israeli air force in January 2017 for operational use." Read Full Report.

Cyber Criminals Targeting Victims through Mobile Beta-Testing Applications - The malicious apps enable theft of personally identifiable information (PII), financial account access, or device takeover.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The FBI is warning the public that cybercriminals are embedding malicious code in mobile beta-testing applications (apps) to defraud potential victims.

Beta-testing apps are online services for testing of mobile apps prior to official release. The beta apps typically are not subject to mobile operating systems review processes.

Apps Enable Theft Of Personal Information, Financial Account Access, Device Takeover: The malicious apps enable theft of personally identifiable information (PII), financial account access, or device takeover. The apps may appear legitimate by using names, images, or descriptions similar to popular apps.

Cybercriminals often use phishing or romance scams to establish communications with the victim, then direct the victim to download a mobile beta-testing app housed within a mobile beta-testing app environment, promising incentives such as large financial payouts. Read Full Report

North America Fire And Smoke Map - August 15th, 2023 - Fires Burning In California, Alaska, Southern, Central, Northern United States, Canada. Air quality throughout eastern and portions of western United States, Alaska and Canada affected by smoke. See Current North America Fire Map.

Milestone In Power Grid Optimization On World’s First Exascale Supercomputer - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL): In the largest simulation of its kind to date, Oak Ridge Lab's Frontier allowed researchers to determine safe and cost-optimal power grid setpoints over 100,000 possible grid failures and weather scenarios in just 20 minutes.

Ensuring the nation’s electrical power grid can function with limited disruptions in the event of a natural disaster, catastrophic weather or a manmade attack is a key national security challenge.

Compounding the challenge of grid management is the increasing amount of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind that are continually added to the grid, and the fact that solar panels and other means of distributed power generation are hidden to grid operators.

To advance the modeling and computational techniques needed to develop more efficient grid-control strategies under emergency scenarios, a multi-institutional team has used a Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)-developed software capable of optimizing the grid’s response to potential disruption events under different weather scenarios, on Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)’s Frontier supercomputer.

Reaching A Milestone: Exascale Speeds Of More Than One Quintilian Calculations Per Second: Read Full Report.

Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine - "It includes additional air defense munitions, artillery and tank ammunition, anti-armor weapons, and other equipment".

Department of Defense: Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs. This announcement is the Biden Administration's forty-fourth tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.

It includes additional air defense munitions, artillery and tank ammunition, anti-armor weapons, and other equipment. Read More. Aid Timeline.

NORAD detects Russian aircraft operating in Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone - NORAD: The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) late August 13, and early morning August 14, 2023.

The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace. This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat. Read More.

Death Toll From Hawaii Wildfires Reach 89, "Worst Natural Disaster Hawaii Has Ever Faced" - Maui governor: “We can only wait and support those who are living. Our focus now is to reunite people when we can and get them housing and get them health care, and then turn to rebuilding".

HAWAII - The death toll from the Hawaii wildfires has now reached 89 according to Maui governor Josh Green, with the number expected to continue to rise as a result of the wildfire that caused the "worst natural disaster that Hawaii has ever faced", the governor said.

“It’s an impossible day,” he said, adding that the wildfire is “certainly be the worst natural disaster that Hawaii ever faced".

“We can only wait and support those who are living. Our focus now is to reunite people when we can and get them housing and get them health care, and then turn to rebuilding," the governor said.

2023-36 Attorney General Lopez Announces the Initiation of a Comprehensive Review of Decision-making Concerning Hawaiʻi Wildfires. Photos/Videos Of Devastation: Full Statement, Pictures, Videos

Death Toll In Maui Wildfires Reaches 67, Expected To Continue Rising - The Maui wildfires have now become the deadliest natural disaster in the history of the state of Hawaii since it became a state in 1959.

HAWAII - The death toll as a result of the Maui wildfires has now reached 67 and is expected to rise as the Coast Guard, along with federal, state, and local partners continue to respond to the fires and come to the aid of those affected by the fires.

A statement by the United States Coast Guard said that the following have been involved in the search and rescue efforts: U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin Helicopters, US.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Juniper, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak, U.S. Coast Guard Station Maui, U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Honolulu, U.S. Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Eight Good Samaritan vessels.

Although the latest estimates say the fire is 85% contained, the fire in Upcountry Maui is currently only 50% contained, according to a statement by the county of Maui, Hawaii. Read Full Report

International Space Race To Moon's South Pole Begins - Luna 25, Russia's first moon mission in almost 50 years, as well as India's Chandrayaan 3, are expected to land on the moon at the end of August.

FLORIDA - NASA administrator Bill Nelson said on Tuesday at the Kennedy Space Center that the Moon's South Pole may become another "South China Sea" with China staking claims and telling other countries to "stay out" if they end up getting there first.

The United States, Russia, India, and China are in a race to get to the moon, namely the South Pole where it is believed ice is trapped. Luna 25, Russia's first moon mission in almost 50 years, as well as India's Chandrayaan 3, are expected to land on the moon at the end of August. Read Full Report.

DOD Announces Establishment Of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force - "We must also consider the extent to which our adversaries will employ this technology and seek to disrupt our own use of AI-based solutions".

Department of Defense: Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced the establishment of a generative artificial intelligence (AI) task force, an initiative that reflects the DoD's commitment to harnessing the power of artificial intelligence in a responsible and strategic manner. Read More.

DOD/Coast Guard: National Guard Takes On Maui Wildfires Leaving Over 53 Dead -Department of Defense: A dry summer coupled with strong winds from a nearby hurricane have spread destructive, fast-moving wildfires, leaving more than [updated to 53] people dead and destroying hundreds of structures on the Hawaiian island of Maui, according to Maui county officials. As of Thursday, around 80% of the wildfire has been contained.

The blaze began Tuesday, forcing some residents to quickly seek shelter by diving into the ocean. The Hawaii National Guard is providing support to authorities on the island.

Guardsmen supported the firefighting efforts, Tuesday, by doing 58 aerial water drops of more than 100,000 gallons of water.

The Coast Guard is also participating in the effort. Crews responded to reports of residents needing to be rescued from the water after seeking refuge from the fire and smoke. Read Full Report

Coast Guard, Partners Continue Mass Rescue Operations from Maui Fires - US COAST GUARD - HONOLULU - The Coast Guard, federal, state, and local partners are responding to the Lahaina wildfires in Maui, Hawaii.

The incident response includes the U.S. Coast Guard, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety, Maui Police Department, Department of Land and Natural Resources, National Guard, and the Department of Defense, who continue to support and closely monitor the rescue and evacuation efforts.

"On behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard, I wish to convey my sincere condolences to the communities who have been tragically affected by the fires in Maui,” said Capt. Aja L. Kirksey, Sector Commander of Coast Guard Sector Honolulu.

"Our collaboration with partner agencies and neighboring jurisdictions remains steadfast, as we unite our resources, knowledge, and equipment to ensure responder and public safety and amplify the impact of our response efforts.”

Contact the Maui Emergency Operations Center for emergency operations information at (808) 205-9328. Full Report And Actions Taken

Likely Carcinogen Found At US Missile Base After Military Investigates Blood Cancer Cases In Base Personnel - In 2001 U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFAM) completed a review of Malmstrom cancer concerns showing no increased rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma among missileers.

MONTANA - After the U.S. Military carried out an investigation as to what was causing blood cancer cases in officers who had previously worked at a nuclear missile base in Montana, a "likely carcinogen" was found above the recommended "safe" levels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

As of January this year, nine military officers who worked at the Malmstrong Air Force Base had developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at earlier ages than the median age for the disease, which has caused the military to launch an investigation probe into the incidents to see if there's a connection between the cancer development and exposure at the base.

Despite this, the Air Force Medical Service states on its website that "U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFAM) completed a review of Malmstrom cancer concerns in 2001 showing no increased rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma among missileers. Read Full Report On This.

Mexico & Canada Replace China As Leading US Trade Partners - Data from the International Trade Administration and the United States Census Bureau shows Mexico taking the lead as trade partner in 2023, with Canada taking second a close place.

MEXICO CITY - Mexico has replaced China as the leading trade partner for the United States, according to the Mexican Embassy in the United States, which stated that in the first half of 2023, Mexico has been the top trading partner for the United States.

The United States has imported 23.1% less goods from China, with the European Union also importing 20.6% less goods from China.

The Embassy of Mexico in the United States posted the below graph and said, "Fantastic news! Mexico maintains its position as the leading trade partner for the US in the first half of 2023. Our robust partnership drives economic growth and nurtures collaboration beyond borders": Read Full Report With Graphs.

Cyberattack Hits Medical Facilities In Multiple US States - UNITED STATES - A cyberattack hit over a hundred medical facilities in five different U.S. states Friday, including sixteen hospitals, forcing them to close down emergency rooms and redirect ambulances.

After ransomware was found on the computer systems of Prospect Medical Holdings, which is a company that owns hospitals and at least 165 outpatient facilities in Connecticut, California, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, the company chose to take its national computer system offline on Tuesday according to Nina Kruse, who is a spokesperson for Eastern Connecticut Health Network, owned by Prospect.

Kruse said that as a result of the cyberattack, the hospitals have had to go back to using old-fashioned ways of record keeping, such as using pen and paper instead of computers to input and store information on patients. Read More

US Capital Police Responding To 911 Call Around Senate Office - "Everyone inside should be sheltering in place as the report was for a possible active shooter. It should be noted that we do not have any confirmed reports of gunshots".

Capital Police now say that it “may have been a bogus call” and that there is no sign of an active shooter.

The U.S. Capital Police: "Our officers are searching in and around the Senate Office Buildings in response to a concerning 911 call. Please stay away from the area as we are still investigating. We will continue to communicate with the public here.

If you are inside the Senate Buildings, everyone inside should be sheltering in place as the report was for a possible active shooter. It should be noted that we do not have any confirmed reports of gunshots.

If you are in the area, follow the directions of our officers.

The media staging location will be located at 1st and Constitution Avenue, NW. A PIO will give an update as we continue to investigate.

USCP is still continuing to investigate. Please continue to shelter in place.

The media staging location will be located at 1st and Constitution Avenue, NW. A PIO will give an update as we continue to investigate.

USCP is still continuing to investigate. Please continue to shelter in place.

3:43 pm: USCP is still continuing to investigate. Please continue to shelter in place."

4:04 pm: All buildings have been cleared at this time. The buildings have not been reopened.

4:17 pm: USCP is standing by to prepare the Senate office buildings for re-entry. There is no active threat at this time."

Biden Administration Announces Additional $400 Million In Security Assistance for Ukraine - This authorization is the Biden Administration’s forty-third drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. Read More On Patreon | Read More On Defcon Alerts | Read More On SJ.

WASHINGTON - The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced an additional $400 million in security assistance to Ukraine, making it the 43rd drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August of 2021.

Today’s drawdown of equipment includes additional air defense munitions, artillery and other ammunition, armored vehicles, anti-armor weapons, and other equipment.

Russian Aircraft Harasses & Releases Flares, Damaging US MQ-9 Propeller - US Air Force Central: "On July 23 Russian military aircraft deployed flares, damaging a U.S. MQ-9 while conducting a defeat-ISIS mission". Read More On Patreon | Read More On Defcon Alerts | Read More On SJ.

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. - “On 23 July, 2023 at 12:23 a.m. (EST) Russian fighter aircraft flew dangerously close to a U.S. MQ-9 drone on a defeat-ISIS mission, harassing the MQ-9 and deploying flares from a position directly overhead, with only a few meters of separation between aircraft.

One of the Russian flares struck the U.S. MQ-9, severely damaging its propeller. Fortunately, the MQ-9 crew was able to maintain flight and safely recover the aircraft to its home base.

Biden Administration Announces Additional $1.3 Billion In Security Assistance for Ukraine - Department of Defense: Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced a new $1.3 billion security assistance package to support Ukraine's battlefield needs and underscore unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine. Read More On Patreon | Read More On Defcon Alerts | Read More On SJ.

The package includes NASAMS, 152mm rounds, mine clearing equipment, TOW missiles, UAS systems, aerial munitions, counter-UAS equipment, fuel trucks, tactical vehicles, port security equipment, communication systems, and support for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities.

This package, which includes critical air defense capabilities and munitions, will be provided as part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). Ukraine Assistance Timeline.

NASA’s Starling Mission Deployed Swarm Of CubeSats Satellites Into Low Earth Orbit - NASA: "The Starling swarm will power up and attempt initial contact with the ground; a process that may occur overnight or in the next several days". Read More On Patreon | Read More On Defcon Alerts | Read More On SJ.

NASA: "Our four CubeSats have successfully deployed in space. Their mission to test swarm technologies continues over the next six months, around 355 miles above Earth".

NASA’s four Starling CubeSats are confirmed to have deployed from the Rocket Lab’s Electron kick stage. The spacecraft, which are designed to work together as a “swarm,” have reached low Earth orbit to begin their mission to test technologies for autonomous positioning, networking, maneuvering, and decision-making.

Now, the Starling swarm will power up and attempt initial contact with the ground; a process that may occur overnight or in the next several days.

Biden Mobilizing 3,000 Reserve Soldiers To Europe - WASHINGTON - U.S. President Joe Biden is mobilizing 3,000 reserve soldiers to active duty in Europe in order to support U.S. soldiers currently deployed there for Operation Atlantic Resolve. Read More On Patreon | Read More On Defcon Alerts | Read More On SJ.

The presidential order said that deployed soldiers would not exceed 3,000 total members at any given time, and not more than 450 of the soldiers may be members of the Individual Ready Reserve.

The order said, "I hereby determine that it is necessary to augment the active Armed Forces of the United States for the effective conduct of Operation Atlantic Resolve in and around the United States European Command’s area of responsibility".

Russia Responds To US Decision To Send Cluster Munitions To Ukraine - Russia Responds To US Decision To Send Cluster Munitions To Ukraine. In 2022, in response to reports Russia had used cluster bombs in Ukraine, the White House said the usage of cluster munitions would "potentially" be a war crime. Read More On Patreon | Read More On Defcon Alerts | Read More On SJ.

MOSCOW - Russia's Foreign Ministry said that the decision of the United States to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions is the manifestation of the "aggressive anti-Russian course of the United States" and claims that it aims to drag out the conflict in Ukraine.

In 2022, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki had commented on reports that Russia had used cluster bombs in Ukraine, to which she stated that the usage of cluster munitions would "potentially" be a war crime.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said, "So the bottom line is this: We recognize that cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordinance, this is why we deferred the decision for as long as we could".

NORAD Interceptions For July, 2023 - July 8th, 2023: NORAD intercepts aircraft violating restricted airspace over Rehoboth. July 3rd, 2023: NORAD detects Russian aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone. Read More On Patreon.

US Air Force: NORAD F-16 fighter aircraft intercepted a general aviation aircraft that violated the VIP Temporary Flight Restricted area near Rehoboth Beach, DE this morning. The event concluded without incident".

NORAD: COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on July 3, 2023.

Increased Truebot Activity Infects U.S. and Canada Based Networks - Truebot is a botnet that has been used by malicious cyber groups like CL0P Ransomware Gang to collect and exfiltrate information from its target victims. Read More On Patreon | Read On Defcon Alerts.

CISA/FBI/MS-ISAC/CCCS - The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), and the Canadian Center for Cyber Security (CCCS) are releasing this joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) in response to cyber threat actors leveraging newly identified Truebot malware variants against organizations in the United States and Canada.

US Completes Chemical Weapons Stockpile Destruction Operations - The United States has finished destroying its entire chemical weapons stockpile, which now means that 100% of the world’s declared chemical stockpiles have been destroyed. Read More On Patreon | Read More On Defcon Alerts | Read More On SJ.

Although all declared chemical weapons have been destroyed, some countries have been found to possess undeclared chemical weapons despite the ban on them. In 2021 the United Nations found undeclared chemical weapons in Syria.

NORAD Aware Of Reports Of High-Altitude Balloon Over Montana - North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD): "NORAD is aware of reports of a high-altitude balloon over Montana".

"The object is a privately-owned civilian balloon registered with the FAA and operating within FAA regulations and requirements. Be assured, when an object is suspicious or unknown, NORAD responds".

US Coast Guard: Unified Command established for missing submersible from Polar Prince - Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Read More On Patreon | Read More On Defcon Alerts | Read More On SJ.

Coast Guard: BOSTON – The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Canadian Coast Guard, and OceanGate Expeditions have established a unified command to continue its response to the 21-foot submersible research vessel, Titan, from the Research Vessel Polar Prince that went missing Sunday evening.

As of Tuesday morning, a total of 10,000 square miles have been searched in favorable weather conditions with an increase in visibility from the previous day.

The Bahamian research vessel, Deep Energy, arrived on the scene around 7 a.m. EDT and began remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations. A C-130 crew from the Air National Guard 106th also arrived on the scene to continue searching around 4 p.m. EDT.

The following assets are en route: Canadian CGS John Cabot; Canadian CGS Ann Harvey; Canadian CGS Terry Fox; Canadian CGS Atlantic Merlin (ROV); Motor Vessel Horizon Arctic; Commercial Vessel Skandi Vinland (ROV); French Research Vessel L’Atalante (ROV); His Majesty's Canadian Ship Glace Bay (mobile decompression chamber and medical personnel).

USCG: Canadian Aircraft Detected Underwater Noises In Search Area

Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue. Read More On Patreon | Read More On Defcon Alerts | Read More On SJ.

Threat Actors Exploit Progress Telerik Vulnerabilities in Multiple U.S. Government IIS Servers - Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Joint Cybersecurity Advisory: "From November 2022 through early January 2023, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and authoring organizations identified the presence of indicators of compromise (IOCs) at a federal civilian executive branch (FCEB) agency. Read More On Patreon | Read More On Defcon Alerts.

Analysts determined that multiple cyber threat actors, including an advanced persistent threat (APT) actor, were able to exploit a .NET deserialization vulnerability (CVE-2019-18935) in Progress Telerik user interface (UI) for ASP.NET AJAX, located in the agency’s Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) web server.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows for remote code execution. According to Progress Software, Telerik UI for ASP.NET AJAX builds before R1 2020 (2020.1.114) are vulnerable to this exploit.

Update June 15, 2023:

As of April 2023, forensic analysis conducted at an additional FCEB agency identified exploitation of CVE-2017-9248 in the agency’s IIS server by unattributed APT actors—specifically within the Telerik UI for ASP.NET AJAX DialogHandler component. This specific analysis is provided as context for existing vulnerabilities within Telerik UI for ASP.NET AJAX.

Actions to take today to mitigate malicious cyber activity: Implement a patch management solution to ensure compliance with the latest security patches. Validate output from patch management and vulnerability scanning against running services to check for discrepancies and account for all services. Limit service accounts to the minimum permissions necessary to run services.

CISA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) are releasing this joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) to provide IT infrastructure defenders with tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), IOCs, and methods to detect and protect against similar exploitation.

CENTCOM: Helicopter Mishap Injures 22 US Service members - Central Command has reported a helicopter mishap leading to the injury of 22 United States service members. The cause of the incident is under investigation, although no enemy fire was reported. Read On Defcon Alerts | Read On Patreon.

U.S. Central Command: "U.S. Service Members Injured in Helicopter Mishap TAMPA, Fla. - June 11th, a helicopter mishap in northeastern Syria resulted in injuries of various degrees to 22 U.S. service members.

Countries Increase Nuclear Arsenals In 2023, With China Leading The Way - As geopolitical tensions continue to mount across the world, global powers are beginning to increase their usable nuclear warheads, with China leading the way. Read On Patreon | Read SJ Article.

SWEDEN - The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released a report that shows the arsenals of some of the nine nuclear powers are growing as tensions on the geopolitical stage continue to mount, with China leading the way by increasing their nuclear stockpile by 60 warheads.

The nine nuclear powers include: Britain, China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, and the United States, and had a total known combined nuclear arsenal of 12,512 at the beginning of 2023.

Although the previous year the total combined nuclear arsenal was at 12,710, which was 198 fewer than in 2022, 9,576 of the current stockpile is considered “military stockpiles for potential use” which is 86 more than in 2022.

Only the stockpile considered ‘potential use’ are considered available to be used due to the fact that the total stockpile also includes older, out-of-commission nuclear warheads, and those scheduled for dismantling.

China Deepened Cooperation In "All Fields" at "All Levels" With Cuba In 2017 - WASHINGTON - After the Pentagon said that reports China was developing a “secret” billion-dollar listening station in Cuba less than 100 miles away from American soil was “inaccurate”, the Biden Administration has now stated that China has been operating military facilities for intelligence collection in Cuba since at least 2019. Read On SJ | Read On Patreon.

Chinese state media have also openly stated their plans to deepen ties with the country in 2017, which included military-to-military relations.

Iran: West Cannot Stop Us If We Want To Become A Nuclear State - The IRGC has repeatedly threatened to wipe out Israel if it makes any 'mistakes', and also threatened to turn locations within the United States into "hellish ruins". Read On SJ | Read On Patreon.

TEHRAN - During a meeting with Iran’s nuclear workers, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that although whoever says that Iran wants nuclear weapons is lying, if Iran wants to become a nuclear state, the West will not be able to prevent it.

Iran has unveiled its new hypersonic missile that Tehran has dubbed “Fattah”, which means “Conquerer” in Farsi, though Iranian state television claimed that the missile is intended to be used as a deterrent, and an “anchor of lasting security and peace for the regional countries”.

Despite Iran’s claims that its nuclear program is not intended to be used to pursue nuclear weapons technology, but only to enhance civilian programs, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has a history of issuing threats to destroy not only Israel but has also threatened to turn U.S. states into “hellish ruins”.

Last year, the IRGC said that it could move its "peaceful nuclear program to a nuclear weapons program" in a rapid amount of time, and turn New York into “hellish ruins”, "if the US or the Zionist regime make any stupid mistakes".

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also unveiled a surface-to-surface ballistic missile situated within a missile launcher in Isfahan, displaying the words "Death to Israel" on it last year which had specifically been written in Hebrew, shown in a post by the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim.

In his first address after being reinstated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in March of this year that the world will break out in a "horrible nuclear war" if it does not stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

International nuclear inspectors detected 84% enriched uranium in Iran, "just below" the level needed to manufacture a nuclear weapon, according to a report by Bloomberg in February of this year.

In March, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said during his visit to Israel that "The United States will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon," and spoke of Iran's "destabilizing actions". Israel also said at the time that "all possible means" are on the table in order to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

In January, the Israeli defense establishment requested an additional 10 billion Israeli New Shekels (Nearly $3 billion USD) for the country's defense budget for 2023 in order to prepare for a military operation in Iran and to deal with the effects of inflation.

In December, Outgoing Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz spoke to air force graduates that were graduating on Wednesday and told them that Israel is preparing for the possibility of an attack on Iran and that they may take part in attacking Iranian nuclear sites within two to three years time.

In November of last year, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) and United States Air Force (USAF) held large joint air drill exercises simulating an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Current Air Quality Status: Canada & United States - US/CANADA - Many areas within the eastern United States that were condition purple are now red, orange, or yellow indicating that the air quality is improving. Read More On Patreon | Read More On Defcon Alerts | Read More On SJ.

NOAA: Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blankets U.S. - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): NOAA satellites are monitoring more than 400 fires currently burning across Canada after unusually hot and dry weather triggered an early and intense start to the wildfire season. Canada is on track to have the worst wildfire season on record. Read More On Patreon | Read More On Defcon Alerts.

"Smoke caused a historic Code Red (unhealthy) in New York, eastern Pennsylvania, and western Connecticut. There was even a Code Purple (very unhealthy) in some parts of New York City and Philadelphia".

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): NOAA satellites are monitoring more than 400 fires currently burning across Canada after unusually hot and dry weather triggered an early and intense start to the wildfire season. Canada is on track to have the worst wildfire season on record.

Earlier last month, smoke from wildfires burning in Alberta and British Columbia produced a smoky haze that moved across New England. Last week, smoke from wildfires in Nova Scotia was seen moving over the area as well.

This week, even more thick smoke from fires burning in Ontario and Quebec is blowing over the eastern and central U.S. much lower to the surface, triggering air quality alerts throughout those regions.

As of June 8, 2023, there were significant fires burning in every Canadian province and territory—save for Prince Edward Island and Nunavut—including 81 active wildfires in British Columbia, 73 active wildfires in Alberta, 30 active wildfires in Saskatchewan, 14 active wildfires in Manitoba, 54 active wildfires in Ontario, 137 active wildfires across Quebec, five active wildfires in Nova Scotia, and 72 active wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Already this year, there have been more than 2,200 wildfires that have scorched over 12,700 square miles of Canadian wildland—an area larger than the state of Maryland.

To put that into perspective, the 10-year average for this time of year is 1,624 fires and roughly 980 square miles burned. In an average year, only about one square mile would be burned by June 5, according to SOPFEU.

In eastern Canada, roughly 5,000 residents were ordered to evacuate an area near the city of Sept-Îles in eastern Quebec soon after the fires erupted. Later, an additional 9,000 people in surrounding communities and in western Quebec’s Val-d’Or and Normétal municipalities were ordered to evacuate.

So far this year, fires have prompted some 120,000 people to evacuate in six provinces and territories. Of those, approximately 26,000 are still unable to return home.

Some of these wildfires were ignited by lightning, and Quebec’s fire prevention agency, Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU), has warned residents that there are more out of control fires than the agency can handle with available resources.

They are currently focusing on protecting residential communities and strategic, essential infrastructure. Officials have asked for aid from the Canadian Armed Forces and reached out for help from foreign firefighting teams, such as those from the U.S.

Why is all this smoke moving into the United States? NOAA meteorologist, Brian Jackson, explained that the smoke is between a large low-pressure system swirling over Maine, an area of high pressure over the center of the U.S., and a stationary front spanning from Minnesota to North Carolina.

This combination of conditions is literally fanning the flames and funneling the smoke southward.

According to NOAA’s Aerosol Watch, the smoke caused a historic Code Red (unhealthy) daily Air Quality alert of 2.5 parts per million across New York, eastern Pennsylvania, and western Connecticut on June 6.

There was even a Code Purple (very unhealthy) in some parts of New York City and Philadelphia. As of the morning of June 7, historically high fine particulate concentrations were seen further south into the Mid-Atlantic region, and reports from the ground stated limited visibility and campfire-like smells.

Code Red means the air is considered unhealthy for some sensitive members of the public, such as children, the elderly, and those who have asthma, heart disease, and other lung diseases. However, it is recommended that everyone should reduce exposure.

NOAA’s geostationary satellites provide timely and potentially life-saving information in a dynamic fire environment. GOES East and GOES West frequently detect fires before they are spotted on the ground, which is particularly important in remote areas. The satellites also track fires in real time, identify and track smoke, and determine a fire’s size and temperature.

The Joint Polar Satellite System’s NOAA-20 and Suomi NPP satellites play an important role in detecting and tracking wildfires, especially in remote regions.

Their high spatial resolution imager detects smaller and lower-temperature fires and also provides nighttime fire detection.

The data from these satellites is also critical to smoke models used by fire crews, first responders, and air traffic controllers.

NASA: Smoke Smothers the Northeast - NASA: Wildfire smoke from Canada has passed over the northeastern U.S. multiple times each summer in recent years, but it often goes unnoticed because it is relatively high in the atmosphere. That was not the case in June 2023. Read More On Patreon | Read More On Defcon Alerts.

In the first week of the month, large amounts of smoke from fires in Quebec poured south into the eastern U.S. and degraded the quality of surface-level air that tens of millions of people breathe.

Winds typically move smoke from fires in Quebec toward the east and out to sea. But in June 2023, a persistent coastal low centered near Prince Edward Island instead steered smoke south into the United States.

This image, from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 16 (GOES-16), shows smoke sweeping into New York and Pennsylvania on the morning of June 7, 2023. GOES-16 is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); NASA helps develop and launch the GOES series of satellites [posted on our platforms].

Smoke reaching the northeastern United States from Canada in 2023 from fires raging in western Canada has mostly arrived at fairly high altitudes. But since the fires in Quebec are relatively close to the northeast U.S., a much larger proportion of the smoke arrived in surface-level air.

Around the time of the image, AirNow air quality monitors measured levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) soaring above 400 micrograms per cubic meter of air in Syracuse, New York—the highest on record for the city since routine measurements began in 1999.

“The surface smoke pollution from New York to the D.C. region is easily the most significant since at least July 2002, when a similar situation occurred with nearby fires in Quebec,” said Ryan Stauffer, an atmospheric scientist based at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “This event is rivaling, and in some cases will likely surpass the observed 2002 smoke pollution.”

According to Stauffer, the air quality index for PM2.5 in New York City surpassed 175 (code red) on June 6, topping the previous record of 167 from 2002. The next day, on June 7, 2023, “the D.C. region joined New York City and experienced some of its most smoke-polluted air in the past 25 years,” Stauffer said.

Several NASA satellites are collecting data throughout the event. For example, the Terra, Aqua, and Aura satellites observe how smoke particles affect how much light the atmosphere absorbs and reflects (aerosol optical depth), while the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) mission collects observations of smoke height.

Meanwhile, data from NASA’s ground-based Micro-Pulse Lidar Network (MPLNET) and Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) indicate that a significant amount of smoke is present near the surface.

Such thick smoke at ground-level is rare in the eastern U.S., prompting many people to notice the optical effects smoke can have on sunlight.

“Smoke particles scatter and absorb shorter wavelengths of sunlight like blues, greens, and yellows more easily compared to the longer-wavelength oranges and reds, so we see muted red sunrises and sunsets under heavy smoke conditions,” explained Stauffer. “In extreme cases like this week, the Sun may become obscured entirely.”

The photograph [posted on our platforms] shows smoke reddening the morning Sun and turning skies gray over NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center on June 7, 2023. It was taken by Colin Seftor, an atmospheric scientist based at the center.

At the time of the photograph, MPLNET data show a multi-layered smoke plume overhead, with thick smoke near the surface up to about 3 kilometers (2 miles), followed by a thinner layer at about 6 kilometers, and a faint layer of smoke hovering at about 12 kilometers.

“There are different histories to each one of those layers that would be interesting to untangle,” said Michael Fromm, an atmospheric scientist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, after seeing the MPLNET data.

“The layer lurking at 12 kilometers is a month old and can actually be traced back to intense fires in Alberta on May 5.”

FAA Slowed Air Traffic To And From New York City Due To Reduced Visibility From Wildfire Smoke - Federal Aviation Administration statement: “The FAA has slowed traffic to and from New York City area airports due to reduced visibility from wildfire smoke. The agency will continue to adjust the volume of traffic to account for the rapidly changing conditions”. Read Notices On Patreon | Read Notices On Defcon Alerts.

NORAD Responds To An Unresponsive Aircraft Over The National Capital Region - Continental U.S. NORAD Region: "TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - In coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, NORAD F-16 fighter aircraft responded to an unresponsive Cessna 560 Citation V aircraft over Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia on June 4, 2023. More Defcon Alerts Platform

The NORAD aircraft were authorized to travel at supersonic speeds and a sonic boom may have been heard by residents of the region.

The NORAD aircraft were authorized to travel at supersonic speeds and a sonic boom may have been heard by residents of the region. During this event, the NORAD aircraft also used flares - which may have been visible to the public - in an attempt to draw attention from the pilot.

Flares are employed with highest regard for safety of the intercepted aircraft and people on the ground. Flares burn out quickly and completely and there is no danger to the people on the ground when dispensed.

The civilian aircraft was intercepted at approximately 3:20 p.m. Eastern Time. The pilot was unresponsive and the Cessna subsequently crashed near the George Washington National Forest, Virginia.

NORAD attempted to establish contact with the pilot until the aircraft crashed."

North Korea Using Social Engineering to Enable Hacking of Think Tanks, Academia, and Media - FBI - "The FBI released a joint CSA with our USG and South Korean partners detailing the operations of Kimsuky cyber actors, a subset of DPRK cyber actors. It outlines warning signs of spearphishing campaigns". Read Full Advisory PDF Document

"North Korean cyber actors are known to conduct spearphishing campaigns posing as real journalists, academics, or other individuals with credible links to North Korean policy circles".

"The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of State, and the National Security Agency (NSA), together with the Republic of Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), National Police Agency (NPA), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), are jointly issuing this advisory to highlight the use of social engineering by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK a.k.a. North Korea) state-sponsored cyber actors to enable computer network exploitation (CNE) globally against individuals employed by research centers and think tanks, academic institutions, and news media organizations.

These North Korean cyber actors are known to conduct spearphishing campaigns posing as real journalists, academics, or other individuals with credible links to North Korean policy circles.

The DPRK employs social engineering to collect intelligence on geopolitical events, foreign policy strategies, and diplomatic efforts affecting its interests by gaining illicit access to the private documents, research, and communications of their targets".

US Officials: Chinese Citizens Pose As Tourists, Attempt To Access Alaskan Military Bases - ALASKA - Chinese citizens have attempted to access United States military facilities in Alaska pretending to be tourists, but are suspected by U.S. officials as being spies. Read On The Standeford Journal.

Although many of the encounters looked to be actual tourists to Alaska, wishing to view the northern lights, or other tourist attractions in Alaska, some of the encounters threw up red flags for military officials.

One incident involved a vehicle occupied by Chinese citizens that failed to stop at a security checkpoint at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska. The vehicle blew right past the checkpoint but was then stopped and checked. Inside the vehicle were Chinese citizens who claimed to be lost tourists., and a drone that could be used to collect sensitive information about the military facilities.

Reports from soldiers say that other attempts to enter United States military bases "seem to be" probing the military facilities in the region in order to "learn about U.S. military capabilities in Alaska".

Also Read: Russia Laments Sale Of Alaska To United States