FPWC: The new Caucasian leopard identified in Armenia gives hope for endangered subspecies’ survival

FPWC: The new Caucasian leopard identified in Armenia gives hope for endangered subspecies’ survival: FPWC: The new Caucasian leopard identified in Armenia gives hope for endangered subspecies’ survival

Homeland Security Update:Thousands of Troops to Remain in D.C.

More than 5,000 National Guard troops are to continue their homeland security mission in the nation's capital at least well into March.Federal law enforcement has reportedly been monitoring concerning online chatter and requested the additional assistance to safeguard against more domestic terrorism.The National Guard Bureau explained: We are providing assistance such as security, communications, medical evacuation, logistics and safety support to state, district and federal agencies.* According to acting Secretary of the Army John Whitley, the requests break down as follows: US Park Police - 500 troops; Metropolitan Police Department - 550 troops; US Secret Service - 600 troops; US Capitol Police - 5,000 troops.* There's a lot of concern about upcoming events at the Capitol, including the impeachment trial in the US Senate of former President Donald Trump beginning on 9 February 2021, and President Joe Biden's nighttime address to a joint session of Congress later in February.* So far, the FBI has identified 400 suspects from the 6 January insurrection at the Capitol, and 150 arrests have been made.They are pursuing not only those who broke into the Capitol; but those who stayed on the Capitol grounds as well.*

ODNI's 10th Anniversary - 2015

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Intelligence Community:Avril Haines Breaks Ground as DNI

Avril Haines,51,was sworn in as the seventh Director of National Intelligence, the nation's top intelligence official,by Vice President Kamala Harris on 21 January 2021.Ms.Haines,the first woman to hold the position created in the wake of the 9-11 attacks,had previously served as Deputy Director of the CIA and Deputy National Security Advisor under President Barack Obama,at which time she formed a professional relationship with then-Vice President Joe Biden.* In a statement Ms.Haines released for her swearing-in, she observed that: At this important moment, with all of the extraordinary challenges and opportunities facing our nation, policymakers need access to timely and analytically rigorous intelligence.The IC must never hesitate to speak truth to power and to deliver intelligence driven by facts, not politics.l know it is what the President expects and demands.* One of the challenges facing the US and its allies is Russia.In recent days, President Joe Biden has ordered a broad review of Russia's malign activities,its "reckless and adversarial actions,"as the White House put it,across the globe. These include its hacking of US Government and corporate computer networks through the Solar Wind network management software.The President also desires analysis of the Kremlin's use of the chemical weapon Novichok,a nerve agent, against Putin critic Alexei Navalny,who, having recovered in Germany,was arrested immediately he returned to Russia recently.* President Biden additionally wants an assessment of Russia's alleged bounty on the heads of US troops in Afghanistan, which it reportedly offered to pay to Islamist extremists.Another assessment the President wants is a comprehensive review of domestic terrorism,in light of the Trump-inspired attack on the US Capitol on 6 January.*

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In Face of Possible Attacks,Thousands of Soldiers Secure the Inauguration

A massive show of force is gathering in the nation's capital to head off the threat of domestic terrorism to the Inauguration on 20 January.Some 20,000 National Guardsmen and women will help secure the traditional swearing-in at the Capitol and other activities between the White House and the Capitol.Streets are closed off by barriers,and security forces ,a mix of police and Guard troops,are already posted along the federal enclaves.* A lesser number of active duty troops will play a ceremonial role, including the US Army 3rd Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard. The event,as a National Special Security Event,is being managed by the US Secret Service and its parent, the Department of Homeland Security.According to GEN Daniel R. Hokanson,chief of the National Guard Bureau,requests have been received from the Secret Service,US Capitol Police and US Park Police for the thousands of National Guardsmen and women to meet current and future support needs.Once they arrive in D.C.,they are under MG William Walker,commander,D.C. National Guard.The troops will assist with security, logistics, liaison and communications missions.Mobilised under Title 32,they are authorised to perform law enforcement missions on request and permitted to carry weapons if needed.Indeed,armed Soldiers were quite evident at the Capitol on 13 January as President Donald Trump was being impeached by the House of Representatives.* National Park Service holdings such as the Mall and the Washington Monument have been closed at the request of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. The House and Senate have been briefed by the FBI on the terrorist danger.At one point, there was an extremist plan for thousands of armed terrorists to surround the Capitol and White House, and rules of engagement were posted-that is, when to shoot and when not to shoot.There have also been plots to harm Mayor Bowser;President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris;as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.* It hasn't yet been decided whether to hold the swearing-in on the West Face of the Capitol or inside under the dome.The Inaugural Committee will defer to the Secret Service on that.*

Homeland Security:Thousands of National Guard Troops Head for Washington

At a Thursday news conference, Washington,D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser reacted to the harrowing events of the previous day, when white nationalist domestic terrorists,including neo-Nazis,incited by President Donald Trump at a rally earlier in the day,stormed the U.S. Capitol.One terrorist had been armed with an automatic rifle and molotov cocktails.Several may still be at large in the D.C. area. In the course of the insurrection,one woman was shot dead in the Capitol by US Capitol Police.Three other people died on the Capitol grounds of unspecified medical emergencies.Several dozen arrests have been made.There are fifteen federal cases underway, some of them involving firearms and ammunition. The FBI is going after the terrorists still at large and a tip line has been set up with a thousand dollar reward offer for tips leading to an arrest and conviction.Several effective tips have been received. The terrorists sought to prevent the US Congress from certifying the election of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.In the event, the terrorists were cleared out by Washington Metropolitan Police, Capitol Police and the D.C. National Guard.Congress was able to continue their constitutional work and completed the certification,setting the stage for the presidential inauguration on 20 January. Domestic terrorism is defined by the US Government as violent acts against persons and/or property to advance political or social objectives.* Mayor Bowser said that an unclimbable security fence had been installed along the Capitol grounds.Several states are sending National Guard reinforcements: Maryland; Virginia;New Jersey;New York; and Pennsylvania.By noon,850 troops would be in place.A total of 6200 Soldiers will be deployed to protect the nation's capital through the inauguration, joining the Metropolitan Police Department and federal law enforcement.* Ms.Bowser acknowledged there had been an initial failure by the Capitol Police to contain the assault.It took hours for reinforcements to arrive - partly because President Trump didn't want to authorise the National Guard to assist.Vice President Mike Pence ultimately stepped in and got things rolling.* The entire D.C. National Guard has been called up.*

Eagle Troop, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment live fire exercise - Grafenwoehr Training Area,Germany,May 2019