Daily Mail: Coronavirus cases in the US are now averaging 40,000 a day for the first time since June as the total number of infections nears SIX MILLION and states across the Midwest report an uptick

* The US is now averaging just over 40,000 new COVID-19 infections a day for the first time since late June
* Deaths across the US are also declining and are currently averaging at 925 fatalities per day
* More than 183,000 Americans have now died from COVID-19 and the number of confirmed cases surpassed 6 million on Monday
* There appears to be emerging hotspots in the Midwest with Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota recently reporting record one-day spikes in new cases
* Many of the new cases in Iowa are in the counties that are home to the University of Iowa and Iowa State University, which are holding some in-person classes
* Infections have also risen after the annual Sturgis Motorcycle rally in South Dakota that drew more than 365,000 people from across the country between August 7 to 16

Coronavirus infections across the United States are now averaging 40,000 per day as the total number of cases surpassed 6 million and states across the Midwest report an uptick in cases.

The country is now averaging just over 40,000 new COVID-19 infections a day for the first time since late June.

Deaths across the US are also declining and are currently averaging at 925 fatalities per day.

Read more ....

Update: Coronavirus cases are on the rise again across more than half of the U.S. (CNBC)

WNU Editor: It looks like the opening of schools and universities are causing a spike in cases.

CDC Says 94% Of Americans Who Died Because Of Covid-19 Had Other Medical Conditions

Daily Mail: CDC says 94% of ALL Americans who have died of COVID-19 had at least one other underlying disease

* More than 180,000 Americans have died of coronavirus as of Monday
* The CDC's latest fatality data shows that COVID-19 was listed as the sole cause of death for just 6% of those killed by the virus
* 94% of fatalities were in people who also suffered at least one chronic health condition, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity or heart disease
* On average, people who died of coronavirus had 2.6 additional underlying health conditions

Nearly every American who has died of coronavirus also suffered from other underlying diseases, recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data reveal.

According to the CDC's latest update on COVID-19 fatalities, 94 percent of people who have died of the infection in the US had at least one pre-existing condition, such as obesity, high blood pressure or heart disease.

Coronavirus was the sole cause of death for just six percent of fatalities as of data published August 26.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: It is known that Covid-19 is very dangerous to those who have other medical conditions. This data just proves the point on why people who have a serious medical issue must be very careful.

China Warns India That They Can Suffer Severe Military Loses If It Wants To Engage In A Competition

Reuters: China can make India suffer 'severe' military losses: Global Times

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China is able to make India suffer more severe military losses than in the past if it wants to engage in competition, state-backed newspaper Global Times said on Tuesday, after a fresh border flare-up between the two nuclear-armed countries.

Indian forces foiled an attempt by Chinese troops to occupy a hill on the Asian giants’ disputed border in the western Himalayas, officials in New Delhi said on Monday.

On the same day, China’s military spokesman demanded India withdraw troops that Beijing said had illegally crossed their shared border. China’s foreign ministry said Chinese border troops had not crossed the line of actual control.

“India ... said it preempted Chinese military activity,” the Global Times said in an editorial. “The word ‘preempt’ shows it was the Indian troops that first took destructive actions, and the Indian troops initiated the standoff this time.”

Read more ....

Update: China must resolutely counterattack India’s opportunist move: Global Times editorial (Global Times)

WNU Editor:  China is deploying its advanced fighter jets near the Indian border .... China Redeployed J-20 Fighter Jets Near Ladakh: Report (NDTV).

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- August 31, 2020

This photograph released by the Turkish Defense Ministry on August 12, 2020, shows Turkish seismic research vessel Oruc Reis heading west of Antalya on the Mediterranean Sea. Photo: AFP / Handout / Turkish Defense Ministry

Henri J Barkey, Asia Times: What’s next in Eastern Mediterranean?

As Turkey, Greece and others wrangle over gas reserves, the outcome may depend on the result of the US election

Tensions are visibly mounting in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Greek and Turkish navies have conducted rival exercises. The Turkish seismic research vessel Oruç Reis, accompanied by naval vessels, has proceeded with exploration activities in areas deemed to be within Greece’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Commensurately, the level of hostile rhetoric accompanying these tensions has also escalated. European countries are alarmed by these developments: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has done her utmost to calm things down; France, by contrast, has taken a dim view of what it perceives to be aggressive Turkish behavior and has openly sided with Greece by deploying its own naval vessels to the region.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- August 31, 2020

Battle for Idlib draws near as sides take position -- Sultan al-Kanj, Al-Monitor

What they said: 'historic' Israel to UAE flight -- AFP

Why Russia’s Great Power Game in Iraq Matters -- Anna Borshchevskaya, National Interest

Picking up the pieces: The psychological aftermath of the Beirut blast -- Karim Yahiaoui and Abdallah Malkawi, France 24

Our Allies Will Help With China—On Their Own Terms -- Mark Perry, American Conservative

What Happens If China Gets the Covid-19 Vaccine First? -- Elizabeth Ralph, Politico

US elections: who does China really want to win? and will it make a difference? -- Shi Jiangtao, SCMP

What Abe leaves behind for Japan and the world -- Brad Glosserman, Japan Times

Shinzo Abe’s Decision to Step Down -- CSIS

Eastern Corridor: India’s road to superpower status -- Ravi Kant, Asia Times

Pessimism mounts in Brussels over Brexit talks ‘disaster’ -- Barbara Moens, Politico

The Strange Story of Why Russian Navy Warships Sailed Through an Alaskan Fishing Fleet -- Peter Suciu, National Interest

WTO 'unable to resolve its problems' (Video) -- DW

Who's in the running for WTO leadership? -- AFP

What fewer people on the planet would mean for the environment -- Ajit Niranjan, DW

World News Briefs -- August 31, 2020 (Evening Edition)

Reuters: Opening up without control of COVID-19 is recipe for disaster, says WHO

GENEVA (Reuters) - Countries with significant active spread of coronavirus must prevent amplifying events, as opening up without the virus being under control would be a “recipe for disaster”, the World Health Organization said on Monday.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recognised that many people are getting tired of restrictions and want to return to normality eight months into the pandemic.

The WHO fully supported efforts to reopen economies and societies, he told a news conference, adding: “We want to see children returning to school and people returning to workplaces, but we want to see it done safely.”

“No country can just pretend the pandemic is over,” he said. “The reality is this virus spreads easily. Opening up without control is a recipe for disaster.”

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria says two killed, seven wounded in Israeli missile attack.

Saudi-Led coalition destroys an explosive-laden drone launched by Houthis: SPA.

Israel-UAE flight takes off in major step for historic pact.

Netanyahu: Palestinians will no longer have 'veto on peace'.

Saudi Arabia downs Iranian-backed threat on eve of Israel-UAE flight.

Turkey's President Erdogan calls leaders of France and Greece 'greedy and incompetent'.

Trump confirms scaling-down of U.S. military presence in Iraq .

Lebanese president designates Ambassador to Germany Mustapha Adib as new prime minister.

Lebanon's PM-designate vows reforms, new IMF talks.

Lebanon president calls for proclamation of 'secular state'.

Macron reassures protesters after meeting Lebanon's symbol of unity, singer Fairouz.

ASIA

Largest faction of Japan's ruling party backs Suga to replace Abe as PM: NHK.

U.S. increases support for Taiwan, says to counter rising China pressure.

Afghan women negotiators to face hardline Taliban in peace talks.

China can make India suffer 'severe' military losses: Global Times.

‘Provocative movements’: India slams China, as it reveals fresh border incident over the weekend. Indian forces block movement of Chinese troops near Pangong Lake.

China accuses India of violating Line of Actual Control amid renewed border clashes.

China's top diplomat warns Czech politicians on Taiwan visit.

Thousands arrested for 'virus-related crimes' in China.

India reports more than 78K COVID-19 cases; extends travel ban.

India economic growth hit by record slump after virus lockdown.

Coronavirus: Auckland lockdown ends; Australia sees record daily deaths.

Australian citizen detained in China amid increasing tensions between Canberra and Beijing.

AFRICA

Algeria approves more measures to ease coronavirus lockdown.

Peace deal signed by Sudan & rebel groups after 17 years of conflict.

France calls for 'rapid transition' to civilian rule in post-coup Mali.

Conflict-torn Mali at critical crossroads after coup.

I.Coast former president, ex-rebel leader file election candidacies.

Ethiopia demands US explanation over funding-cut reports.

Thousands of Mauritians protest government's handling of oil spill.

Kenya fears ecological disaster as two rising lakes get closer.

South Africa's ANC decides officials charged with graft must step aside.

Paul Rusesabagina: Hotel Rwanda film hero arrested.

EUROPE

Belarus activists seek refuge abroad amid political crisis.

Belarus protests: Thousands defy ban to march on Lukashenko's birthday.

Kremlin says situation in Belarus under control, no need to use Russian police reserve.

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya: Belarus opposition leader to address UN Security Council.

German government slams Reichstag rush as 'shameful'.

North Macedonia's parliament approves new left-wing coalition government.

France slams 'intransigent' Boris Johnson for post-Brexit trade talks stalemate as ‘No-Deal’ looms.

Norway: Clashes break out at anti-Islam rally.

Riots erupt in Sweden after far-right activists burn Koran.

Russia's opposition blogger Yegor Zhukov severely injured in Moscow 'attack'.

AMERICAS

Donald Trump DEFENDS accused double killer Kyle Rittenhouse saying 17-year-old was 'very violently attacked' before he opened fire in Kenosha and refuses to condemn vigilantes.

In battleground Pennsylvania, Biden accuses Trump of stoking violence.

US surpasses 6 million coronavirus cases nationwide.

Uncertainty dominates presidential campaign’s final stretch.

Oregon state police returning to Portland after fatal shooting.

Appeals court denies Michael Flynn and Justice Department's effort to end his case.

Canada signs deals with two suppliers for potential COVID-19 vaccines.

Covid: Venezuela seeks testers for Russian vaccine.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Qatar backed 'terrorism and extremism', UAE tells UN court.

Amid peace talks with Taliban, ISIS is gaining strength.

Canadian ‘extremist travellers’ a significant concern, RCMP says after ISIS-related arrest.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Nasdaq ends higher while S&P 500 posts biggest August gain since 1986.

Apple, Tesla shares pop after stock splits.

Warren Buffett invests $6bn in Japan's five biggest trading houses.

TikTok owner to 'strictly' obey China's tech takeover law.

Report Says China Not Ready For A Full Assault Against Taiwan

Taipei Times: China not ready for full assault: report

GEOLOGICAL CHALLENGE: The PLA lacks the landing vehicles and logistics required to launch an incursion into Taiwan via the Taiwan Strait, a defense ministry report said.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) does not yet have the military capability to wage an all-out war against Taiwan, given the demanding geological environment of the Taiwan Strait, a Ministry of National Defense report said.

The China Military Power Report 2020, which the ministry yesterday submitted to the Legislative Yuan for review, said the PLA still lacks the landing vehicles and logistics required to launch an incursion into Taiwan via the Taiwan Strait.

If Beijing were to wage a war now, its combat plans could take the form of military intimidation, blockades, firepower strikes and landing operations, the report said.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be like the Normandy invasion, but against more formidable defences. The Chinese are nowhere near that type of capability.

U.S. Navy Sends A Warship Through The Taiwan Strait For The Second Time In Two Weeks

USS Halsey (DDG-97) conducts a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait on Aug. 30, 2020. US Navy Photo

Daily Mail: U.S. Navy sends a warship through the Taiwan Strait for the second time in two weeks - days after an American destroyer sailed near disputed South China Sea islands amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing

* A U.S. warship transited the sensitive Taiwan Strait, Taiwan confirmed Monday
* Ship was on an 'ordinary mission' and situation was 'normal', the ministry added
* Comes days after a U.S. warship sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands

A U.S. Navy warship has transited the narrow and sensitive Taiwan Strait for the second time in two weeks.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry confirmed the operation on Monday amid rising tensions between China and the United States.

The ministry said a U.S. destroyer, which it did not name, had sailed in a southerly direction through the strait and was continuing to sail south.

The ship was on an 'ordinary mission' and the situation was 'normal', the ministry added, without giving details.

Read more ....

Update: U.S. Destroyer Transits Taiwan Strait for Second Time in August (USNI News)

WNU Editor: The Chinese have yet to respond to this transit. I give them another day before they condemn it.

The US Navy Has A New Small Ship Strategy

The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit moves through the Gulf of Aden during an amphibious assault rehearsal.

Breaking Defense: ‘If It Floats, It Fights:’ Navy’s New Small Ship Strategy

Existing amphibious ships might be the "Swiss Army Knife of the fleet," but the Navy and Marines want an enemy who "jumps on it in the opening gambit...they're gonna have the shock of their life."

WASHINGTON: We’re getting the first glimpses of the Navy’s new force structure plan, as officials begin dropping clues about the Pentagon’s months-long effort to war game new plans for modernizing the Navy and Marine Corps.

Previous comments from the reform-minded Marine Commandant have suggested that those plans will include moving Marines from large, big-deck amphibious ships to smaller, faster and harder to track ships that can move Marines around contested areas in the western Pacific or the crowded Baltic Sea quickly.

And it’s become clear that one way to do that is to buy dozens of what’s being dubbed the light amphibious warship, or LAW.

“I think we’re late to need with building the Light Amphibious Warship, which is why we’re trying to go so quickly,” Marine Maj. Gen. Tracy King told the virtual Surface Navy conference Thursday. The Navy is looking to replicate what it did with the recent frigate award, which moved quickly to identify and buy an existing design to start building as soon as possible.

The small amphibs are being considered primarily for moving troops around faster than the big decks can, while providing presence in the littorals and operating among archipelagos while offering Chinese missiles and aircraft a smaller target. The Marines also want to make sure that the ships can defend themselves.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: It looks like the US Navy and Marine Corps have embraced the light amphibious warship program.

Can The US Navy Stop Chinese 'Carrier Killer' Anti-Ship Missiles?

SAN DIEGO (July 29, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 transits into San Diego prior to mooring at Naval Air Station North Island (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Philip Wagner Jr.)

FOX News/Warrior Maven: How would US Navy stop Chinese 'carrier killer' anti-ship missiles?

Should more agile, F-35-armed, faster-moving big-deck amphibious assault ships be used as mini-carriers?

Should future carriers be built smaller, faster, and less “targetable” by enemy missiles?

Perhaps future carriers will operate with massive new numbers of drone attack systems? Or maybe, despite the growing threat environment, big-deck, power-projecting, and intimidating U.S. Navy aircraft carriers are not going anywhere?

It would not be a stretch to posit that much if not all of these questions have, at least in part, been fueled by the existence of China’s DF-26B and DF-21D “carrier killer missiles.” These weapons, emerging in recent years, have framed or at least influenced ongoing debates about the future roles, missions, and planned attack envelopes of U.S. aircraft carriers.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Smaller and faster carriers appears to be one option. The disadvantage is that they bring less fire-power.

Democrat Presidential Candidate Joe Biden Blames President Trump For Widespread City Violence

Daily Mail: Joe Biden slams Donald Trump on race-fueled disorder saying 'he can't stop the violence because for years he has fomented it' as president hits back that riots have 'forced him out of his basement'

* Joe Biden is traveling to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Monday to deliver remarks on President Donald Trump's handling of the current race-fueled disorder
* 'He can't stop the violence - because for years he has fomented it,' Biden plans to say, according to pre-released portions of his speech
* He'll also ask, ''Does anyone believe there will be less violence in America if Donald Trump is re-elected?'
* Biden will point out that Trump has not asked his own supporters to disengage, as they paint balled and teargassed left-wing protesters in Portland
* Trump continued to hammer Democratic leaders Monday, accusing them of losing control of their 'movement,' as violence escalated in several cities

Joe Biden will blame President Donald Trump for the race-fueled disorder in several cities during a speech Monday delivered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

'This president long ago forfeited any moral leadership in this country,' Biden plans to say, according to pre-released remarks from his campaign. 'He can't stop the violence - because for years he has fomented it.'

Biden will point out that Trump didn't call on his own supporters to disengage, after truckloads of them descended on Portland, Oregon Saturday and shot left-wing protesters with pepper spray and paint balls.

Read more ....

More News On Democrat Presidential Joe Biden's Speech

Biden hits campaign trail, blames Trump for city violence -- AP
In battleground Pennsylvania, Biden blames Trump for sowing chaos amid crises -- Reuters
Biden criticizes violence while blaming Trump for fomenting it -- The Hill
Biden rips Trump as a president who ‘sows chaos’ -- Politico

WNU Editor: A Strange speech. Flew in and took no questions from the press even though he said he would (see link here). Apparently only a few people showed up to see him at the venue for his speech (see link here). His remarks on Covid-19 did not make any sense (see link here). Then left without taking any questions.

This is not how you run a Presidential campaign.

Should We Be Worried That In An F-16 Fighter Simulation A Military AI Defeated A Human Fighter Pilot?

The Loyal Wingman drone, pictured above, is controlled by a human fighter pilot who instructs the drone's AI to perform specific tasks. Boeing

NBC: Military AI vanquishes human fighter pilot in F-16 simulation. How scared should we be?

Artificial intelligence can master difficult combat skills at warp speed, but the Pentagon’s futurists must remain mindful of its limitations and risks.

From the outside, the simulated aerial dogfight the Pentagon held two weeks ago looked like a standard demonstration of close-up air-to-air combat as two F-16 fighter jets barreled through the sky, twisting and diving as they sought an advantage over the other. Time and time again the jets would “merge,” with one or both pilots having just split seconds to pull off an accurate shot. After one of the jets found itself riddled with cannon shells five times in these confrontations, the simulation ended.

From the inside, things seemed very, very different.

“The standard things we’re trained to do as a fighter pilot aren’t working,” lamented the losing pilot, an Air Force fighter pilot instructor with the call sign Banger.

That’s because this wasn’t a typical simulation at all. Instead, the U.S. military’s emerging-technologies research arm, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, had staged a matchup between man and machine — and the machine won 5-0.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Concerned or not the US Air Force is already embracing this future .... Air Force’s ‘Skyborg’ Robotic Wingman Will Revolutionize How Air Warfare Is Waged—And How Weapons Are Bought (Forbes).

South Sudan's Government And The Main Rebel Alliance Have Agreed To A Peace Deal Ending 17 Years Of War

Al Jazeera: Sudan signs peace deal with rebel groups from Darfur

Agreement provides for the dismantling of rebel forces and integration of their fighters into the national army.

South Sudan's government and the main rebel alliance agreed on a peace deal on Monday to end 17 years of conflict.

The Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), a coalition of rebel groups from the western region of Darfur and the southern states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, signed the peace agreement at a ceremony in Juba, capital of neighbouring South Sudan, which has hosted and helped mediate the long-running talks since late 2019.

The final agreement covers key issues around security, land ownership, transitional justice, power sharing, and the return of people who fled their homes because of war.

Read more ....

More News On The South Sudan Peace Agreement

Sudan signs peace deal with key rebel groups, some hold out -- Reuters
Sudan reaches historic peace deal with rebel groups -- France 24
South Sudan, rebel alliance reach deal in ongoing peace efforts -- AP
Sudan government agrees to peace deal with five rebel groups -- The Guardian
Sudan signs historic peace deal with 5 rebel groups to end fighting -- UPI
Sudan: Main rebel alliance agrees landmark peace deal with government -- Middle East Eye
Peace deal signed by Sudan & rebel groups after 17 years of conflict -- RT
Sudan: torn apart by decades of war -- AFP

India Says Its Army Detered China's Military Movements Near The Border

The Guardian: India accuses China of 'provocative military movements' near border

Two countries locked in standoff along southern bank of Pangong Lake in Ladakh

India and China have accused each other of military provocation and violating sovereign territory along their disputed Himalayan border, escalating tensions between the two sides which have been locked in a months-long standoff.

A statement by India’s defence ministry accused the China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of carrying out “provocative military movements to change the status quo” on the southern bank of Pangong Lake in Ladakh, which lies at an altitude of 4,200 metres (13,800ft).

Read more ....

WNU Editor: China has responded .... China-India relations: Beijing rejects New Delhi’s claim of provocation after flare-up at border in Ladakh (SCMP). More here .... Indian troops' illegal crossing of LAC will 'escalate tensions' (Global Times).

More News On The China - India Border Conflict

Indian army says thwarts Chinese attempt to occupy hill on disputed border -- Reuters
India accuses China of 'provocative military movements' at border -- BBC
India accuses China of fresh border 'provocation' -- DW
India says China's military made moves near disputed border in Ladakh region -- ABC News Online
India accuses China of 'provocative military movements' on border -- CNN
India accuses China of 'provocative' military movements at border -- Al Jazeera

World News Briefs -- August 31, 2020

Reuters: Israeli, U.S. officials land in UAE, Kushner urges Palestinians to negotiate

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Senior U.S. and Israeli officials landed in the United Arab Emirates on Monday on a historic trip to finalize a pact marking open relations between Israel and the Gulf state, and they told Palestinians it was now time for them to negotiate peace.

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner also said on arrival that Washington could maintain Israel’s military edge while advancing its ties to the UAE, the Arab world’s second largest economy and a regional power.

In apparently unrelated incidents, two blasts at restaurants in Abu Dhabi and Dubai killed three people earlier in the day in what authorities said were the result of gas malfunctions. The Abu Dhabi government told residents “to avoid spreading rumors” about the blasts, and “use official news sources”.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Israel-UAE flight takes off in major step for historic pact.

Netanyahu: Palestinians will no longer have 'veto on peace'.

Saudi Arabia downs Iranian-backed threat on eve of Israel-UAE flight.

Turkey's President Erdogan calls leaders of France and Greece 'greedy and incompetent'.

Trump confirms scaling-down of U.S. military presence in Iraq .

Lebanese president designates Ambassador to Germany Mustapha Adib as new prime minister.

Lebanon's PM-designate vows reforms, new IMF talks.

Lebanon president calls for proclamation of 'secular state'.

ASIA

Afghan women negotiators to face hardline Taliban in peace talks.

‘Provocative movements’: India slams China, as it reveals fresh border incident over the weekend. Indian forces block movement of Chinese troops near Pangong Lake.

China accuses India of violating Line of Actual Control amid renewed border clashes.

China's top diplomat warns Czech politicians on Taiwan visit.

Thousands arrested for 'virus-related crimes' in China.

India reports more than 78K COVID-19 cases; extends travel ban.

India economic growth hit by record slump after virus lockdown.

Coronavirus: Auckland lockdown ends; Australia sees record daily deaths.

Australian citizen detained in China amid increasing tensions between Canberra and Beijing.

AFRICA

Peace deal signed by Sudan & rebel groups after 17 years of conflict.

France calls for 'rapid transition' to civilian rule in post-coup Mali.

Conflict-torn Mali at critical crossroads after coup.

I.Coast former president, ex-rebel leader file election candidacies.

Ethiopia demands US explanation over funding-cut reports.

Thousands of Mauritians protest government's handling of oil spill.

Kenya fears ecological disaster as two rising lakes get closer.

South Africa's ANC decides officials charged with graft must step aside.

Paul Rusesabagina: Hotel Rwanda film hero arrested.

EUROPE

Belarus protests: Thousands defy ban to march on Lukashenko's birthday.

Kremlin says situation in Belarus under control, no need to use Russian police reserve.

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya: Belarus opposition leader to address UN Security Council.

German government slams Reichstag rush as 'shameful'.

North Macedonia's parliament approves new left-wing coalition government.

France slams 'intransigent' Boris Johnson for post-Brexit trade talks stalemate as ‘No-Deal’ looms.

Norway: Clashes break out at anti-Islam rally.

Riots erupt in Sweden after far-right activists burn Koran.

Russia's opposition blogger Yegor Zhukov severely injured in Moscow 'attack'.

AMERICAS

US surpasses 6 million coronavirus cases nationwide.

Uncertainty dominates presidential campaign’s final stretch.

Biden to accuse Trump of inciting violence in Pittsburgh speech.

Oregon state police returning to Portland after fatal shooting.

Appeals court denies Michael Flynn and Justice Department's effort to end his case.

Canada signs deals with two suppliers for potential COVID-19 vaccines.

Covid: Venezuela seeks testers for Russian vaccine.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Qatar backed 'terrorism and extremism', UAE tells UN court.

Amid peace talks with Taliban, ISIS is gaining strength.

Canadian ‘extremist travellers’ a significant concern, RCMP says after ISIS-related arrest.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Apple, Tesla shares pop after stock splits.

Warren Buffett invests $6bn in Japan's five biggest trading houses.

TikTok owner to 'strictly' obey China's tech takeover law.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 31, 2020

Turkish and European naval forces in the Mediterranean © France 24

France 24: Troubled waters: Greek-Turkish escalations in the Mediterranean

Greece and Turkey have increased their military manoeuvres in the Mediterranean Sea in recent days. At the heart of the dispute between the historic rivals lies the search for hydrocarbons.

Tensions have been mounting in the Mediterranean Sea in recent days with announcements of military exercises in the area emerging from a slew of countries. It has not reached the stage of open conflict fortunately, but the escalations between Greece and Turkey have been alarming.

On the one hand, Turkey on Thursday announced that it would conduct military exercises, including firing exercises, on September 1 and 2 off the Turkish town of Iskenderun, north east of Cyprus.

Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 31, 2020

Turkey Tells Greece to Pull Troops From Island at Heart of Rift -- Bloomberg

France joins Greece's naval exercises amid Turkey row -- DW

F-22s Intercept 6 Russian Aircraft Near Alaska, Russian Fighters Intercept B-52 Over Black Sea -- Air Force Magazine

Six US Air Force B-52 bombers make symbolic sweep over all NATO members -- Defense News

B-52s to fly over all 30 NATO countries in a single day -- UPI

Russian Top Gun 'headbutts' B-52: Dramatic footage shows Su-27 fighter jet with afterburner on cut in front of nuclear-capable US bomber to wash it in turbulence in dangerous intercept over the Black Sea -- Daily Mail

Russian aircraft cross within 100 feet of B-52 in international waters -- The Hill

That U.S. Air Force B-52 Flying Over The Black Sea Was Bait For The Russians -- Forbes

The U.S. Army's Upgraded Abrams Tank, Explained -- National Interest

Airbus unveils B-model Lakota helos to enter US Army fleet next year -- Defense News

Lockheed Martin receives $911 million for THAAD support -- Defence-Blog

US Navy Turns to Drones, AI to Monitor Rust -- Defense One

Space Force boldly goes to Silicon Valley to get a Star Trek-flavored software boost -- CNBC

Lost In Space: Why America Needs a New Defense Strategy -- National Interest

Court Upholds Bowe Bergdahl's Sentence Despite Trump 'Dirty Traitor' Comments -- Military.com

US Navy sends warship near disputed islands a day after China’s ’carrier killer’ missile test -- Navy Times

US plans further troop reductions in Iraq by November -- AP

French spying: Senior army officer investigated -- BBC

Ukraine’s newest spy ship set sail -- Defense Blog

Ukrainian Air Force exercise almost ends in disaster -- Defense Blog

NORAD intercepts three groups of Russian planes near Alaska -- UPI

Russian navy conducts major maneuvers near Alaska -- Military Times/AP

Two Russian Warships Arrive in Sri Lanka on Business Call - Pacific Fleet Spokesman -- Sputnik

India Withdraws From War Games in Russia Over Row With China, Which is Also Taking Part -- Sputnik

New F-16 fighter jet maintenance centre gives Taiwan an edge in defence and striking ability: President Tsai -- SCMP

Taiwan’s president emphasizes defense amid growing China threat -- Defense News

Taiwan Claims China Lacks ‘Full Assault’ Capability to Bring ‘Breakaway Province’ Under Control -- Sputnik

Japan secures first-ever major defense export with Philippine radar order -- Defense News

South Korea appoints new military chiefs amid OPCON plans -- UPI

Thai submarine purchase hits rough seas -- Defense News

In a Robot War, Kill the Humans -- Defense One

Why The US Navy Fears China's 'Aircraft-Carrier Killer' Missiles

National Interest: China's Ballistic Missiles: Why the Navy Fears 'Aircraft-Carrier Killer' Missiles

Many here in Washington believe that the solution is to increase the range of the carrier air wing, but that is easier said than done.

The U.S. Navy’s carrier fleet is increasingly challenged in the Western Pacific as China continues its efforts develop anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities. Some of those systems include the infamous DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile and Xian H-6K bomber armed with advanced air launched cruise missiles.

Many here in Washington believe that the solution to the problem is to increase the range of the carrier air wing so that the ship could standoff 1200 nautical miles offshore. That distance would allow the carrier to remain outside the range of Chinese A2/AD systems. The Navy would accomplish that task by developing a new class of unmanned long-range broadband all-aspect stealth aircraft that could penetrate even the most dense air defenses.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Chinese have been hinting for years that their 'Aircraft-Carrier Killer Missiles' will be able to deter any US naval response against China. But saying you will be able to do it is vastly different from being able to do it. I think the engineering and the necessary software to develop such a missile system is still far away in the future. But that does not mean the US Navy should take it for granted that their carriers are still safe.

Senior French Military Officer Accused Of ‘Spying For Russia’

French Defence Minister Florence Parly (C) on a visit to a military air base in Jordan on August 28, 2020. © AFP Photo / Ministère des Armées / Handout

France 24: Senior French military officer arrested on suspicion of spying for a 'foreign power'

French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said on Sunday that an investigation had been launched into a senior French officer who is suspected of being behind a "security breach". According to French media and a judicial source, the officer is believed to have transmitted sensitive documents to a "foreign power", possibly Russia.

Europe 1 radio reported that a French lieutenant colonel based in Italy and stationed with NATO is suspected of having transmitted sensitive documents to the Russian secret services.

Parly said her ministry had informed prosecutors about the case. She did not elaborate on what the officer was suspected of having done.

"What I can confirm is that a senior officer is facing legal proceedings for a security breach," Florence Parly told Europe 1 radio, CNews and Les Echos newspaper.

"We have implemented all the necessary safeguards," Parly said.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Media reports are saying that he had access to critical NATO information.

More News On A Senior French Military Officer Being Accused Of ‘Spying For Russia’

French military officer investigated over suspected security breach -- Reuters
Senior French military officer suspected of spying for Russia -- Euronews
France arrests top military officer over Russian-linked 'breach' -- DW
French military official under investigation for alleged "security breach": report -- FOX News
France probes senior military officer accused of ‘spying for Russia’ – suspect worked at NATO command centre -- RT

Submarine Spotted Off The Coast Of Alaska Was American Nto Russian As Initialy Reported

This photo shows a submarine surfaced not far from the shore of U.S.-owned St. Matthew Island, in the Bering Sea. Fishermen thought the submarine was Russian, but defense analysts say it’s a U.S. naval vessel. (Courtesy Mike Fitzgerald)

Forbes: Submarine Scare Off Alaska May Have Been U.S. Navy, Not Russian

There has been speculation about the identity of a submarine that reportedly surfaced off Alaska last week. U.S. Northern Command tweeted that they were monitoring the situation. Analysis of potential Russian Navy submarines pointed to the Omsk, an Oscar-II Class cruise missile submarine. A submarine had been spotted by crews of Alaskan fishing trawlers, who had also seen Russian warships in the area. But now a photo of the alleged submarine has emerged, at least the one seen by the fishing vessels. And it is not Russian.

Read more ....

Previous Post: Russian Navy Submarine Surfaces Near Alaska (August 28, 2020)

WNU Editor: Yup. That is definitely a US sub.

Watch Three Anti-Ship Missiles Rip Through The USS Durham During RIMPAC NAval Exercises Off The Coast Of Hawaii

Warzone/The Drive: Watch Three Anti-Ship Missiles Rip Through USS Durham During RIMPAC Sinking Exercise

The Navy's big RIMPAC drills may have been dialed back this time around, but its highly anticipated SINKEX event certainly wasn't.

Even though this iteration of the biennial Rim Of The Pacific (RIMPAC) international naval exercises off Hawaii is smaller than in years past, the highlight of the drills, where a real ship is sunk with live weaponry, wasn't dropped from the program. For the sinking exercise, otherwise known as SINKEX, the ex-USS Durham, a mothballed amphibious cargo ship that was pulled from service in 1994, was the target. The Navy has released the first video of its demise, which appears to show a succession of no less than three anti-ship cruise missiles ripping through the ship's hull and detonating, along with a showering of shrapnel or submunitions from another weapon.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The RIMPAC exercise are ending today.

Is The Pentagon's Budget Facing Cuts In The Future?

Savannah Wooten, Business Insider: The end is near for the Pentagon's endless budget explosion

* The US spends more on its military than the next nine countries combined.
* The defense budget is bloated and includes plenty of money that could be better used elsewhere.
* During a national pandemic, it is unconscionable that this money isn't being spent on Americans in need.
* Savannah Wooten is an activist and nonprofit professional.
* This is an opinion column. The thoughts expressed are those of the author.

The US is, quite literally, addicted to war. While it's no secret that the country has a long history of militarism, the sheer scale of the ongoing excess is staggering. Yet the tide may finally be turning, as Americans begin to take hawkish lawmakers to task for their defense industry contributions and unfettered support for costly forever wars.

As our leaders continue to mismanage the COVID-19 crisis, it's become clear that the nation has abjectly failed to prepare for one of the most severe national security threats of our lifetimes. And it calls into question just how necessary two decades of massive defense spending increases were when the government has proven ineffective against the most deadly threat the country has faced in that time.

US warfighting since 9/11 has cost $6.4 trillion, 770,000 lives, and counting. We spend more on our military than the next nine countries combined. Every year, Congress authorizes hundreds of billions of dollars for the Pentagon, consuming most of our discretionary budget that could otherwise fund programs that meet Americans' needs.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I have lost count over the years on how many opinion posts and commentaries that I have read predicting that the US defense budget is going to be cut. It never happens. And with so many invested in the Pentagon budget to continue to grow, I just do not see it happening anytime soon.

Are Radical Democrats Helping To Re-Elect President Trump?

Reuters

Aram Bakshian Jr., National Interest: Why Radical Democrats Are Handing the Election to Donald Trump

After so many years of successfully exploiting fear and deception, class resentment and racial tension, much of the Democratic leadership has ideologically overdosed.

A few days ago, as I walked past the boarded-up storefronts of looted shops, pharmacies and liquor stores in an ordinarily peaceful neighborhood of my Washington, DC, home town, I found myself remembering a quote from Dr. John Arbuthnot (1667-1735), a canny Scots physician, scientist, mathematician and polymath. Largely forgotten today, Arbuthnot was one of the leading thinkers of his time. Like most profound thinkers, his ideas have stood the test of time. The quote I recalled, which gives new meaning to the term “gag rule,” certainly applies to the troubled times we are now passing through: “All political parties die at last of swallowing their own poison.”

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Republicans know that the Democrats are giving them a winning issue, and they are exploiting it to the hilt .... Trump Dares Biden To Utter 'Antifa' After Feeble Response To Murder And Mayhem (Zero Hedge).

Tweets For Today

Global COVID-19 cases cross 25 million as India sets grim record.

A million additional cases have been detected globally roughly every four days since mid-Julyhttps://t.co/1F8zmMEtfj

📸 Juan Barreto pic.twitter.com/DjBug76a18

— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 31, 2020

COVID-19 cases grow 'exponentially' in France: Macron refuses to rule out national lockdown https://t.co/AC1jEnx79m

— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) August 31, 2020

That is ... a heck of a graph. https://t.co/PaZYUOEQH2

— cdrsalamander (@cdrsalamander) August 30, 2020

VIDEO: Drone footage of anti-government rally in Belarus.

Tens of thousands of opposition supporters calling for an end to strongman Alexander Lukashenko's rule march through Minsk despite a heavy security presence and dozens of arrestshttps://t.co/NwhzkioSan pic.twitter.com/OrNZ5v1WWx

— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 31, 2020

Wow https://t.co/HKNSM8aEt3

— Fiery but peaceful Mike (@Doranimated) August 31, 2020

Once again ... everything is too clean.

It could mean a few things ... https://t.co/Bq4KMbiFY9

— cdrsalamander (@cdrsalamander) August 30, 2020

Antifa's Web Site Directs Visitors To Joe Biden's Web Page

I have just clicked on the https://t.co/JiKJh95TwL and I really landed here...

— Lillian H. Mueller (@lill_the_swiss) August 30, 2020

WNU Editor: OMG it does!!!!(as of 12:17AM EST, August 31, 2020)

Update: Snopes also confirms that it is true .... Did Antifa.com Redirect to Biden’s Official Campaign Website? (Snopes).

Picture Of The Day

Flames engulf the Community Corrections Division building as an American flag flutters on a pole during protests after a white policeman shot a Black man in Kenosha, Wisconsin, August 24, 2020. Kenosha has been rocked by civil unrest and violence since Sunday, when an officer shot Jacob Blake, 29, in the back seven times at close range in an incident captured on video. Blake was left paralyzed by the shooting and is being treated for his injuries. REUTERS/Stephen Maturen

WNU Editor: The above picture is from this photo-gallery .... Photos of the week (Reuters).

Democrats Are Accusing President Trump For Causing The Violence In U.S. Cities

Reuters: Biden condemns Portland violence, says Trump 'recklessly encouraging' it

DETROIT (Reuters) - Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Sunday called violence at protests in Portland, Oregon, unacceptable and challenged President Donald Trump to stop “recklessly encouraging” it, after one person was killed during clashes between rival groups.

Demonstrations against racism and police brutality have swept the United States since the death in May of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

Protests have roiled downtown Portland every night for nearly three months following Floyd’s death, and police there said they had made arrests after one person was shot to death on Saturday night.

“I condemn violence of every kind by anyone, whether on the left or the right. And I challenge Donald Trump to do the same,” Biden said in a statement, adding that “we must not become a country at war with ourselves.”

Read more ....

Update #1: ‘Fanning the flames’: Dems accuse Trump of stoking violence (AP)
Update #2: Democrat Portland mayor Ted Wheeler blames Trump for MAGA supporter's deadly shooting and calls the president 'the most divisive figure in history' who is trying to incite hate to help his campaign (Daily Mail)

WNU Editor: This is going to be a difficult sell for the Democrats. A lot of these protests are anything but peaceful. And with many Democrat mayors and governors embracing these groups while holding back law-enforcement when things get out of hand, coupled with the fact that almost all of the violence that is happening right now is in Democrat controlled cities and states. In the eyes of the electorate the blame belongs to them. Even the cartoonists are picking up on that (see below):

Mass Exodus From New York City

The exodus of New York. Big lines this morning at UHAUL. CATASTROPHIC setbacks in quality of life —-people have had enough. pic.twitter.com/5StqXtKWQO

— Greg Kelly (@gregkellyusa) August 29, 2020

Daily Mail: Exodus from the Upper West Side: Fleet of moving trucks descend on NYC neighborhood and dozens wait in line to hire U-Hauls as residents already reeling from virus call it quits after Mayor de Blasio's decision to move 13k homeless people to the area

* U-Haul trucks and other moving vehicles were seen out in abundance on Manhattan’s troubled Upper West Side across the weekend
* The seeming exodus comes just days after it was revealed residents in the area are planning to sue the city for moving homeless people into nearby hotels
* While the end of the month often proves to be a busy moving period, Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa said he believes a 'mass evacuation' is in progress
* Long lines were seen outside of a number of U-Haul stations in the neighborhood across Saturday and Sunday, with moving vans lining residential streets
* The mayoral candidate, who often leads Guardian Angel patrols of the area, said he saw numerous moving trucks ‘stacked up’ down his street Saturday

U-Haul trucks and other moving vehicles were seen out in abundance on Manhattan’s troubled Upper West Side across the weekend.

The seeming exodus comes just days after it was revealed residents in the area are planning to sue the city after thousands of homeless people were put up in luxury hotels in the neighborhood in a controversial attempt to stem the spread of COVID-19 amid the ongoing pandemic.

Natives of the typically up-scale neighborhood say the moving in of the vagrants has caused an increase in crime, random violence, drug use, public urination and open prostitution. Some locals claim sex offenders have also moved into the streets.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: When you read stories like this one .... Cops use facial recognition technology to arrest man after brazen sex offender is filmed attempting to rape woman, 25, on Manhattan subway platform at 11am as she screamed in terror (Daily Mail). Or this one .... At least 18 shot as weekend violence continues to plague NYC, NYPD says (PIX 11). Add in New York City's taxes, and it makes sense to see why people are leaving. As to where are they fleeing, it is the suburbs .... Big Apple residents flee to the suburbs: Westchester County sees July home sales more than DOUBLE as NYC is ravaged by coronavirus and soaring crime rates (Daily Mail). But my friends who live and/or work in New York City tell me that it is still too early to call this a trend. They say give it another 6 to 9 months before making any conclusions.

100,000 Gather In Minsk To Protest Against Belarus President Lukashenko

DW: Belarus: Thousands defy ban to protest Lukashenko on his birthday

Lukashenko's opponents defied a police ban to stage a massive anti-government rally on the strongman's birthday. Some 125 people were arrested after trying to join the Minsk event.

Belarusian police on Sunday detained 125 protesters who had gathered in central Minsk, according to the Interior Ministry, as an unauthorized demonstration against President Alexander Lukashenko went ahead as planned.

Opposition sources estimated some 100,000 protesters marched through the Belarusian capital. Many of the participants carried placards mocking Lukashenko, who turned 66 on Sunday.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Putin wants something for his support .... Putin and Lukashenko plan to meet in Moscow - Kremlin (Reuters).

Update: Here is a photo-gallery from today's protests .... People Take To The Streets Again In Belarus For 'Peace And Independence March' (RFE).

More News On Today's Protests In Belarus

Huge protest on Belarus leader’s birthday demands he resign -- AP
Tens of thousands march in Belarus capital despite massive police presence -- France 24
Belarus protest: Mass rally keeps pressure on Lukashenko -- BBC
Protesters crowd Minsk as Belarus leader gets birthday call from Putin -- Reuters
Belarus: Thousands defy ban to protest Lukashenko on his birthday -- DW
Belarus protesters defy crackdown to march again through Minsk -- The Guardian
Belarusian police detain 125 protesters during rally in Minsk: RIA -- Reuters
Belarus: Tens of thousands rally in opposition march, dozens held -- Al Jazeera
Belarus cracks down on journalists, 2 AP staff deported -- AP
Belarus revokes accreditations of journalists covering protests for foreign media -- Reuters
Putin passes on 'warm wishes' to embattled Lukashenko, as tanks are seen in Minsk amid protests -- CNN