veteranstoday--2020-06-17--Archaeological Survey Yields African American Cemetery Under Florida Parking Lot

Residents of Clearwater Heights , a historically black neighborhood in Clearwater , Florida , have long shared rumors of unmarked graves left behind when an all-black cemetery was moved to another town in the 1950s .
Now , an archaeological survey has confirmed this speculation , reports Paul Guzzo for the Tampa Bay Times .
According to records obtained by the Times , researchers recently used ground-penetrating radar ( GPR ) to analyze a patch of land in the Tampa Bay community .
Though a paved parking lot covers most of the site , a business complex owned by staffing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the land .
Archaeologists discovered 70 possible graves just below the surface of the lot , says Jeff Moates of the Florida Public Archaeology Network .
The team only surveyed a fifth of the 2.5-acre cemetery plot , raising the possibility that more graves may be hidden at the site .
The St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church established the cemetery in 1909 .
When the church sold the land in 1955 , most of the bodies buried in the graveyard were moved to another African American cemetery in nearby Dunedin .
But some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they appear to have been left behind during the move .
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Lost African American Cemetery Found Under Florida Parking Lot
by Nora McGreevy/Smithsonianmag.com
Residents of Clearwater Heights, a historically black neighborhood in Clearwater, Florida, have long shared rumors of unmarked graves left behind when an all-black cemetery was moved to another town in the 1950s.
Now, an archaeological survey has confirmed this speculation, reports Paul Guzzo for the Tampa Bay Times. According to records obtained by the Times, researchers recently used ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to analyze a patch of land in the Tampa Bay community. Though a paved parking lot covers most of the site, a business complex owned by staffing firm FrankCrum occupies a small portion of the land.
Archaeologists discovered 70 possible graves just below the surface of the lot, says Jeff Moates of the Florida Public Archaeology Network. The team only surveyed a fifth of the 2.5-acre cemetery plot, raising the possibility that more graves may be hidden at the site.
The St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church established the cemetery in 1909. When the church sold the land in 1955, most of the bodies buried in the graveyard were moved to another African American cemetery in nearby Dunedin. But some of the graves were unmarked, and they appear to have been left behind during the move.
Read More:


veteranstoday--2020-06-18--Trump Asks Barr to Jail Secret Service Agents Who Reported (as required) Trump Hiding in Nuclear Bun

Trump Asks Barr to Jail Secret Service Agents Who Reported (as required) Trump Hiding in Nuclear Bunker from Protesters

In late May , a number of US media outlets reported that US President Donald Trump was taken by Secret Service agents to an underground bunker as potentially violent demonstrations protesting the killing of African-American George Floyd took place near the White House .
US President Donald Trump has reportedly directed officials within his administration to find and prosecute those responsible for leaking information about his retreat to the heavily-fortified underground White House bunker during an anti-police-brutality protest near the White House on Friday 29 May , The New York Times reported on Wednesday .
The report claimed that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get “ good ” stories from the media , no matter what he does .
The president also told aides that nothing he does can stop the criticism his faces over his response to the death of George Floyd and the massive wave of nationwide protests triggered by the killing .
Days following reports about the bunker visit , Trump slammed what he characterized as “ false ” news , offering instead that he had visited the secure bunker during the day and that the protests in the area mostly took place that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he went down into the bunker was for “ an inspection ” of the facilities .
Attorney General William Barr contradicted Trump ’ s claims , however , noting that the Secret Service had recommended taking the president to the fortified bunker for his own safety , as a riot was said to be taking place at Lafayette Park in front of the White House , primary due to heavily armed police forces aggressively clearing peaceful protesters from the area .
One day following the incident , Trump again was criticized after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior administration officials , through Lafayette Park , which had previously been forcefully cleared of protesters , to the historic St. John ’ s Episcopal Church for a photo opportunity .
A wave of ongoing protests across all 50 of the United States and in most major urban centers , as well as in many other countries , were sparked by a white police killing of an unarmed African-American man , George Floyd , in Minneapolis on 25 May .

In late May, a number of US media outlets reported that US President Donald Trump was taken by Secret Service agents to an underground bunker as potentially violent demonstrations protesting the killing of African-American George Floyd took place near the White House.
US President Donald Trump has reportedly directed officials within his administration to find and prosecute those responsible for leaking information about his retreat to the heavily-fortified underground White House bunker during an anti-police-brutality protest near the White House on Friday 29 May, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.
The report claimed that Trump complained to advisors that he cannot get “good” stories from the media, no matter what he does. The president also told aides that nothing he does can stop the criticism his faces over his response to the death of George Floyd and the massive wave of nationwide protests triggered by the killing.
Days following reports about the bunker visit, Trump slammed what he characterized as “false” news, offering instead that he had visited the secure bunker during the day and that the protests in the area mostly took place that night. He added that the reason he went down into the bunker was for “an inspection” of the facilities.
Attorney General William Barr contradicted Trump’s claims, however, noting that the Secret Service had recommended taking the president to the fortified bunker for his own safety, as a riot was said to be taking place at Lafayette Park in front of the White House, primary due to heavily armed police forces aggressively clearing peaceful protesters from the area.
One day following the incident, Trump again was criticized after he walked, accompanied by a group of senior administration officials, through Lafayette Park, which had previously been forcefully cleared of protesters, to the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church for a photo opportunity.
A wave of ongoing protests across all 50 of the United States and in most major urban centers, as well as in many other countries, were sparked by a white police killing of an unarmed African-American man, George Floyd, in Minneapolis on 25 May.


veteranstoday--2020-06-18--NEO – The Fall of the Dancing Bear

NEO – The Fall of the Dancing Bear

by Gordon Duff , VT Sr. Editor , … with New Eastern Outlook , Moscow ( 1816 ) Trump is a “ dancing bear , ” controlled by Attorney General William Barr , part of a CIA cabal put together , in partnership with former FBI Director Robert Mueller , during the 1970s .
Barr and Mueller are and have been for decades , close personal friends despite attempts to represent them as otherwise .
Not only are they friends but they are “ cohorts in crime , ” as the expression goes , always working together , plotting their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of American decline under Trump , rapid and catastrophic , seems to be one of those schemes , with Trump playing little or no real role at all , not really despite efforts to make things appear otherwise .
His wars are never fought , his projects never completed , his policies seldom enacted except , of course , where his personal brutality and those of the Deep State coincide .
This hypothesis was supported by a recent discussion with a White House advisor who went off script ” on Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banned in the US by the FDA for COVID treatment ) , backing drinking or injecting bleach ( a toxic industrial form ) as a “ quack remedy ” and his threats of using the military illegally against US citizens .
Trump is now being isolated from “ harmful elements ” that made up his informal advisory group which included certain pseudo-Christian cult leaders and White Nationalists .
As things stand , $ 8 trillion was stolen from the economy during the fake COVID 19 bail out where 80 % of the cash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s stock market “ pump and dump ” far more profitable and efficient than the 2007-8 sub-prime crash under Bush 43 .
The results were the same , first doubling , now tripling America ’ s fake national debt to the Deep State-owned Federal Reserve “ system ” and using the mechanisms put in place after 9/11 to push the nation into social disorder .
One might then ask whether both Bush 43 and Trump were , in actuality , “ tasked ” by the Deep State in ending American hegemony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one that sees the United States as a “ milk cow ” to be used until it is no longer profitable and then sent off to be slaughtered .
COVID 19 with an expected 325,000 deaths and $ 12 trillion in economic losses may well be that slaughter .
There again , we look at the seemingly purposefully failed COVID 19 response and the dangerous reopening in the midst of Trump regime supported hoaxes claiming , in some extreme cases , that all COVID 19 dead are “ crisis actors.
” Many , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe this or similar falsehoods , a 35 % that votes for Trump and that will not be interfered with when it votes , as many millions of Americans now are .
According to the New York Times , the State of Georgia actually set up a polling place for the recent failed primary election inside a nursing home filled with dying COVID 19 patients as part of a GOP led voter suppression campaign .
Trump has touted that mail in ballots , how he and his family have always voted , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue at this juncture , with the US in freefall and the entire globe aghast at the stumbling-bumbling pronouncements of a disgraced and discredited leader believed by most to be mentally incapacitated , acting as that dancing bear frontpiece for a criminal cabal using America ’ s remaining power to terrorize the world .
This narrative was told to me in 2016 by former CIA asset , Gene “ Chip ” Tatum , now retired in Ecuador .
Gene , who writes for Veterans Today , is a longtime friend .
Gene and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Mule , ” offered on Amazon , on what the book included and what was redacted by the CIA , which was much .
This book , as with others , isn ’ t to be taken as gospel , not without confirmations and on issues of this import , many confirmations .
Those confirmations now exist , to an extent , and the hypothesis that Trump , as with other presidents in the past , to varying degrees , serves a Deep State cabal or faces assassination or being isolated from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Obama spent 8 years in office , two massive electoral victories , but had both houses of congress and the Supreme Court held by the opposing political party .
Though Israeli expansionism was reigned in , a key issue and a peace deal with Iran was enacted , Obama still followed basic Deep State narratives of Russophobia and global militarism .
As the summer of 2020 approaches in the US , so much seems the same , perhaps it is , but the ability to hide the truth from the masses is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is this , Trump leads nothing , he is simply a dancing bear , brought out by those running the carnival , his handlers with a pocket full of treats with a gun and whip handy if needed .
The bear can still bite , with Trump , to follow the analogy , that means he could fire Attorney General Barr but can he ?
Here is what we assert : It is dangerous to believe any narrative that is hand fed , particularly one that fails every test , one that continually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that two political parties control America , that elections jockey back and forth between each and that leaders , such as they are , share different visions but also share a love of America , a love of peace , a love of mankind and are constrained by their humanity and decency , is not just false but laughable .
Behind this superficial and failed assessment is the idea that “ special interests ” influence policy but the “ best and brightest ” of Americans choose to serve in government .
Nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When one looks at the Trump administration , one that shares much with its earlier incarnation under George W. Bush , one sees an individual , Trump as with Bush , of non-existent academic capabilities , a spoken narrative filled with absolutism , with deception and noted by its rambling incoherence .
What one sees is cheap street theatre for politics , fake leaders , fake government departments , fake courts , fake law enforcement , not just at national level but all the way to the murderous militarized police that flail at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well , use protests to put forward their own criminalistic and totalitarian agenda .
Where there was once a generalized view of regionalized differences in America , the violence of the spring and summer of 2020 , with much of it professionally orchestrated , not from the left or right but by Deep State operatives , we now see “ principalities ” where we once saw towns and cities .
Each of these tiny regimes is ruled by a law enforcement official deeply entrenched with local elites and organized crime , profiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts and jails for personal profit and dishing out mob violence packaged as a fake “ war on crime ” perpetrated against the population by criminals in uniform .
What are those principalities ?
We begin a list in New York City , then Atlanta , Philadelphia , Seattle , certainly Minneapolis , but not all cities .
Rural counties are so much easier to control with rural poor , rural “ white ” poor , often addicted to methamphetamines and opiates , a trade that only thrives with full complicity of law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Detroit , Chicago , Toledo , Phoenix , but whose police departments have maintained professionalism and have not turned their emergency management over to Israeli based advisors , now blamed by many , perhaps wrongly , as the cause of much police violence .
Racism and brutality existed long before the Department of Homeland Security under Chertoff sought to turn America ’ s police into half-baked “ spies and commandos.
” With America still in the midst of a pandemic , President Trump hasn ’ t been involved for months .
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personally taking banned medications or advocating scam cures has endangered his position as a carnival dancing bear ?
The world certainly now knows that the military takes orders from its Commander in Chief if it wants to and otherwise doesn ’ t .
The world also knows that the American military has broken with Trump and no longer is willing to take the money and keep quiet about his dictatorial policies and clear evidence of his diminished capacity .
Yet still , Trump could remain president for 4 more years , through rigging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CIA tactics and media manipulation , which is also a CIA tactic if you get down to it , despite the fact Trump ’ s personal decline is obvious .
By “ decline , ” we mean the descent from racist , bigot and ignoramus to bumbling fool and aged cripple .
What is also there to see is that what has passed for leadership in Washington , not just under Trump but some of his predecessors as well , is as we assert , a carnival with a dancing bear , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to time slips his handlers , but a dancing bear just the same .
Gordon Duff is a Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War that has worked on veterans and POW issues for decades and consulted with governments challenged by security issues .
He ’ s a senior editor and chairman of the board of Veterans Today , especially for the online magazine “ New Eastern Outlook .
”

by Gordon Duff, VT Sr. Editor, … with New Eastern Outlook, Moscow (1816)
– First published … June 17, 2020 –
Trump is a “dancing bear,” controlled by Attorney General William Barr, part of a CIA cabal put together, in partnership with former FBI Director Robert Mueller, during the 1970s.
Barr and Mueller are and have been for decades, close personal friends despite attempts to represent them as otherwise. Not only are they friends but they are “cohorts in crime,” as the expression goes, always working together, plotting their plots, scheming their schemes.
The years of American decline under Trump, rapid and catastrophic, seems to be one of those schemes, with Trump playing little or no real role at all, not really despite efforts to make things appear otherwise.
His wars are never fought, his projects never completed, his policies seldom enacted except, of course, where his personal brutality and those of the Deep State coincide.
This hypothesis was supported by a recent discussion with a White House advisor who went off script” on Trump’s recent blunders, hydroxychloroquine (now banned in the US by the FDA for COVID treatment), backing drinking or injecting bleach (a toxic industrial form) as a “quack remedy” and his threats of using the military illegally against US citizens.
Trump is now being isolated from “harmful elements” that made up his informal advisory group which included certain pseudo-Christian cult leaders and White Nationalists.
As things stand, $8 trillion was stolen from the economy during the fake COVID 19 bail out where 80% of the cash went to Deep State elites, making Trump’s stock market “pump and dump” far more profitable and efficient than the 2007-8 sub-prime crash under Bush 43.
The results were the same, first doubling, now tripling America’s fake national debt to the Deep State-owned Federal Reserve “system” and using the mechanisms put in place after 9/11 to push the nation into social disorder.
One might then ask whether both Bush 43 and Trump were, in actuality, “tasked” by the Deep State in ending American hegemony?
This is yet another hypothesis, one that sees the United States as a “milk cow” to be used until it is no longer profitable and then sent off to be slaughtered.
COVID 19 with an expected 325,000 deaths and $12 trillion in economic losses may well be that slaughter. There again, we look at the seemingly purposefully failed COVID 19 response and the dangerous reopening in the midst of Trump regime supported hoaxes claiming, in some extreme cases, that all COVID 19 dead are “crisis actors.”
Many, up to 35% of Americans, believe this or similar falsehoods, a 35% that votes for Trump and that will not be interfered with when it votes, as many millions of Americans now are.
According to the New York Times, the State of Georgia actually set up a polling place for the recent failed primary election inside a nursing home filled with dying COVID 19 patients as part of a GOP led voter suppression campaign.
Trump has touted that mail in ballots, how he and his family have always voted, is a form of communist takeover.
The issue at this juncture, with the US in freefall and the entire globe aghast at the stumbling-bumbling pronouncements of a disgraced and discredited leader believed by most to be mentally incapacitated, acting as that dancing bear frontpiece for a criminal cabal using America’s remaining power to terrorize the world.
This narrative was told to me in 2016 by former CIA asset, Gene “Chip” Tatum, now retired in Ecuador. Gene, who writes for VT, is a longtime friend. Gene and I went over this book, “The Mule,” offered on Amazon, on what the book included and what was redacted by the CIA, which was much.
This book, as with others, isn’t to be taken as gospel, not without confirmations and on issues of this import, many confirmations. Those confirmations now exist, to an extent, and the hypothesis that Trump, as with other presidents in the past, to varying degrees, serves a Deep State cabal or faces assassination or being isolated from power as with Barak Obama is confirmed.
Obama spent 8 years in office, two massive electoral victories, but had both houses of congress and the Supreme Court held by the opposing political party.
Though Israeli expansionism was reigned in, a key issue and a peace deal with Iran was enacted, Obama still followed basic Deep State narratives of Russophobia and global militarism.
As the summer of 2020 approaches in the US, so much seems the same, perhaps it is, but the ability to hide the truth from the masses is no longer there. What is clear is this, Trump leads nothing, he is simply a dancing bear, brought out by those running the carnival, his handlers with a pocket full of treats with a gun and whip handy if needed.
The bear can still bite, with Trump, to follow the analogy, that means he could fire Attorney General Barr but can he? Here is what we assert:
It is dangerous to believe any narrative that is hand fed, particularly one that fails every test, one that continually discredits itself when tested.
The narrative, that two political parties control America, that elections jockey back and forth between each and that leaders, such as they are, share different visions but also share a love of America, a love of peace, a love of mankind and are constrained by their humanity and decency, is not just false but laughable.
Behind this superficial and failed assessment is the idea that “special interests” influence policy but the “best and brightest” of Americans choose to serve in government.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
When one looks at the Trump administration, one that shares much with its earlier incarnation under George W. Bush, one sees an individual, Trump as with Bush, of non-existent academic capabilities, a spoken narrative filled with absolutism, with deception and noted by its rambling incoherence.
What one sees is cheap street theatre for politics, fake leaders, fake government departments, fake courts, fake law enforcement, not just at national level but all the way to the murderous militarized police that flail at protesters or, as has been cited as well, use protests to put forward their own criminalistic and totalitarian agenda.
Where there was once a generalized view of regionalized differences in America, the violence of the spring and summer of 2020, with much of it professionally orchestrated, not from the left or right but by Deep State operatives, we now see “principalities” where we once saw towns and cities.
Each of these tiny regimes is ruled by a law enforcement official deeply entrenched with local elites and organized crime, profiting on drugs and human trafficking, running courts and jails for personal profit and dishing out mob violence packaged as a fake “war on crime” perpetrated against the population by criminals in uniform.
What are those principalities? We begin a list in New York City, then Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, certainly Minneapolis, but not all cities. Rural counties are so much easier to control with rural poor, rural “white” poor, often addicted to methamphetamines and opiates, a trade that only thrives with full complicity of law enforcement.
Some cities are inherently corrupt, Detroit, Chicago, Toledo, Phoenix, but whose police departments have maintained professionalism and have not turned their emergency management over to Israeli based advisors, now blamed by many, perhaps wrongly, as the cause of much police violence.
Racism and brutality existed long before the Department of Homeland Security under Chertoff sought to turn America’s police into half-baked “spies and commandos.”
Conclusion
With America still in the midst of a pandemic, President Trump hasn’t been involved for months. Why? Is it because his admissions of personally taking banned medications or advocating scam cures has endangered his position as a carnival dancing bear?
The world certainly now knows that the military takes orders from its Commander in Chief if it wants to and otherwise doesn’t. The world also knows that the American military has broken with Trump and no longer is willing to take the money and keep quiet about his dictatorial policies and clear evidence of his diminished capacity.
Yet still, Trump could remain president for 4 more years, through rigging American elections, always a combination of CIA tactics and media manipulation, which is also a CIA tactic if you get down to it, despite the fact Trump’s personal decline is obvious.
By “decline,” we mean the descent from racist, bigot and ignoramus to bumbling fool and aged cripple.
What is also there to see is that what has passed for leadership in Washington, not just under Trump but some of his predecessors as well, is as we assert, a carnival with a dancing bear, one that occasionally bites, that from time to time slips his handlers, but a dancing bear just the same.
Gordon Duff is a Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War that has worked on veterans and POW issues for decades and consulted with governments challenged by security issues. He’s a senior editor and chairman of the board of VT, especially for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook.”


veteranstoday--2020-06-18--The Don Bolles Papers on the CIA and Organized Crime

Tracing where we are today , and where we are today is a crying shame , began some years ago when , allegedly , Nelson Rockefeller and George H.W .
Bush plotted to destroy the presidency of Jimmy Carter before he took office .
Carter was a “ straight shooter ” and would interfere with the daily operations of the CIA and Mafia , it was believed .
VT has confirmations on so much of this , and more still .
This is a good read , it is history , it is today , it is sickening and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the nature of independent content , VT can not guarantee content validity .
We ask you to Read Our Content Policy so a clear comprehension of VT 's independent non-censored media is understood and given its proper place in the world of news , opinion and media .
All content is owned by author exclusively .
Expressed opinions are NOT necessarily the views of VT , other authors , affiliates , advertisers , sponsors , partners or technicians .
Some content may be satirical in nature .
All images within are full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VT - Read Full Policy Notice - Comment Policy Due to the nature of independent content , VT can not guarantee content validity.We ask you toso a clear comprehension of VT 's independent non-censored media is understood and given its proper place in the world of news , opinion and media.All content is owned by author exclusively .
Expressed opinions are NOT necessarily the views of VT , other authors , affiliates , advertisers , sponsors , partners or technicians .
Some content may be satirical in nature .
All images within are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Tracing where we are today, and where we are today is a crying shame, began some years ago when, allegedly, Nelson Rockefeller and George H.W. Bush plotted to destroy the presidency of Jimmy Carter before he took office. Carter was a “straight shooter” and would interfere with the daily operations of the CIA and Mafia, it was believed.
VT has confirmations on so much of this, and more still. This is a good read, it is history, it is today, it is sickening and it is the truth.
Don Bolles by Gordon Duff on Scribd


veteranstoday--2020-06-17--Atlanta Cop Charged (overcharged?) with Felony Murder, Faces Electric Chair in Rayshard Brooks Killi

Atlanta Cop Charged (overcharged?) with Felony Murder, Faces Electric Chair in Rayshard Brooks Killing

“ We have concluded at the time Mr Brooks was shot that he did not pose an immediate threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or officers , ” Howard said .
Guardian : The Atlanta officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks in the back after the fleeing man pointed a stun gun in his direction faces 11 charges , including felony murder , a prosecutor said Wednesday .
Prosecutors said Brooks , who was black , posed no threat when he was gunned down and that the white officer kicked him and offered no medical treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Brooks was holding a stun gun he had snatched from officers but was 18ft , 3in away when he was shot by Officer Garrett Rolfe and was running away at the time , District Attorney Paul Howard said in announcing the charges five days after the killing outside a Wendy ’ s restaurant rocked the city .
The shooting sparked new demonstrations in Georgia ’ s capital against police brutality , after occasionally turbulent protests in response to George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis had largely simmered down .
The Atlanta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than 24 hours after Brooks died .
Howard made the announcement about officer Rolfe during a news conference in the city that had been eagerly awaited by many , including campaigners for police reform.Rolfe had already been fired after he fatally shot Brooks , 27 , on Friday night .
read more…

I want everyone who tried to justify the shooting of #RayshardBrooks to look at this photo of how the cop who shot him KICKED him afterwards and then I want you to gfy pic.twitter.com/3KK3VXJpkn
Guardian: The Atlanta officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks in the back after the fleeing man pointed a stun gun in his direction faces 11 charges, including felony murder, a prosecutor said Wednesday.
https://twitter.com/CharlesMBlow/status/1273377502233231368?s=20
Prosecutors said Brooks, who was black, posed no threat when he was gunned down and that the white officer kicked him and offered no medical treatment as he lay dying on the ground.
Two weeks ago, the DA in Atlanta who's currently charging Officer Garrett Rolfe in the Rayshard Brooks case charged police officers with aggravated assault for using a taser on protesters. "A taser is considered a deadly weapon under Georgia law" pic.twitter.com/ZQfsjllEQS — Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) June 17, 2020
Brooks was holding a stun gun he had snatched from officers but was 18ft, 3in away when he was shot by Officer Garrett Rolfe and was running away at the time, District Attorney Paul Howard said in announcing the charges five days after the killing outside a Wendy’s restaurant rocked the city.
This is #RayshardBrooks, in his own words. In this heartbreaking interview filmed just four months ago, Brooks speaks about the agony of being trapped in a prison reentry and probation system that won’t let him get back on his feet. pic.twitter.com/oXAiT3815Z — REFORM Alliance (@REFORM) June 18, 2020
The shooting sparked new demonstrations in Georgia’s capital against police brutality, after occasionally turbulent protests in response to George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis had largely simmered down. The Atlanta police chief, Erika Shields, resigned less than 24 hours after Brooks died.
NEW: The white Atlanta police officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks in the back will face a felony murder charge and 10 other charges. Prosecutors say he could face a possible life sentence or the death penalty. https://t.co/a49VsyZxxm — NPR (@NPR) June 17, 2020


veteranstoday--2020-06-18--Iran’s New Supersonic Cruise Missile, Shorter Range but more advanced than US version, a Major Setba

Iran’s New Supersonic Cruise Missile, Shorter Range but more advanced than US version, a Major Setback for US Navy

RT and Press TV : The Iranian military has tested a new homebuilt anti-ship cruise missile , successfully hitting a naval target during drills in the Indian Ocean .
The new munitions are said to boast a range of at least 280km .
The large-scale drills , dubbed ‘ Ramadan Martyrs , ’ were held in the northern part of the Indian Ocean and in the Sea of Oman .
Footage of the exercise , released by state media on Thursday , shows multiple cruise missiles launched from ground-based and ship-borne launchers .
The imagery also shows a missile scoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target .
The targets are said to have been around 280km from the launchers .
The coast-to-sea and sea-to-sea missiles were produced by experts at Iran ’ s Ministry of Defense in cooperation with the Navy , according to the report .
⚠ WATCH : # Iran tests anti-ship missile with a very impressive range of 300KM & very , very impressive low flying altitude .
Upgraded accuracy and more destructive warheads .
Pretty chilling stuff .
( Test conducted at 280km ) pic.twitter.com/AidvOSKFkn — AS-Source News / MILITARY〽 ( @ ASBMilitary ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the maneuvers , Deputy Chief of Army for Coordination Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari described the successful launch of new cruise missiles as a promising step toward further upliftment of the country ’ s defense and deterrence power .
He added that Iran will continue to march toward self-sufficiency and becoming needless of foreign military equipment despite brutal sanctions imposed on the country , adding that “ successful test-firing of long-range missiles is a sign of remarkable progress in boosting synergy between the armed forces and defense industries.
” Iranian Navy Commander Rear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new home-grown missiles by the Iranian experts will better equip the Islamic Republic to handle any threat against the Islamic establishment and the Iranian people while strengthening a sense of self-reliance in the Iranian Armed Forces .
The munitions used during the drills have been described by Iranian military officials as “ next-generation ” weapons .
The successful test is a “ sign of significant progress in increasing cohesion between the armed forces and defense industry , ” Iran ’ s Army Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari has said , calling the missiles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deterrence power.
” The test comes a month after a deadly incident during Iranian naval drills , which left more than two dozen sailors dead and injured .
Early in May , an Iranian military vessel accidentally hit the logistics and support ship ‘ Konarak ’ with a cruise missile after it set up a floating target .
While the support vessel was effectively obliterated in the blast , it did not sink and the charred husk of the ship was towed to port .
Iran has been actively developing and testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including cruise , ballistic and anti-aircraft systems .
Tehran has reiterated that the homegrown technology serves only defensive purposes and is crucial for maintaining the country ’ s sovereignty .

RT and Press TV: The Iranian military has tested a new homebuilt anti-ship cruise missile, successfully hitting a naval target during drills in the Indian Ocean. The new munitions are said to boast a range of at least 280km.
The large-scale drills, dubbed ‘Ramadan Martyrs,’ were held in the northern part of the Indian Ocean and in the Sea of Oman. Footage of the exercise, released by state media on Thursday, shows multiple cruise missiles launched from ground-based and ship-borne launchers.
The imagery also shows a missile scoring a solid hit on a floating dummy target. The targets are said to have been around 280km from the launchers.
The coast-to-sea and sea-to-sea missiles were produced by experts at Iran’s Ministry of Defense in cooperation with the Navy, according to the report. ⚠ WATCH: #Iran tests anti-ship missile with a very impressive range of 300KM & very, very impressive low flying altitude.
Upgraded accuracy and more destructive warheads. Pretty chilling stuff. (Test conducted at 280km) pic.twitter.com/AidvOSKFkn — AS-Source News / MILITARY〽 (@ASBMilitary) June 18, 2020 At the end of the maneuvers, Deputy Chief of Army for Coordination Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari described the successful launch of new cruise missiles as a promising step toward further upliftment of the country’s defense and deterrence power. He added that Iran will continue to march toward self-sufficiency and becoming needless of foreign military equipment despite brutal sanctions imposed on the country, adding that “successful test-firing of long-range missiles is a sign of remarkable progress in boosting synergy between the armed forces and defense industries.” Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi also noted that production of new home-grown missiles by the Iranian experts will better equip the Islamic Republic to handle any threat against the Islamic establishment and the Iranian people while strengthening a sense of self-reliance in the Iranian Armed Forces.
The munitions used during the drills have been described by Iranian military officials as “next-generation” weapons. The successful test is a “sign of significant progress in increasing cohesion between the armed forces and defense industry,” Iran’s Army Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari has said, calling the missiles a “promising step in enhancing defense and deterrence power.”
The test comes a month after a deadly incident during Iranian naval drills, which left more than two dozen sailors dead and injured. Early in May, an Iranian military vessel accidentally hit the logistics and support ship ‘Konarak’ with a cruise missile after it set up a floating target. While the support vessel was effectively obliterated in the blast, it did not sink and the charred husk of the ship was towed to port.
Iran has been actively developing and testing various missiles over the past few years, including cruise, ballistic and anti-aircraft systems. Tehran has reiterated that the homegrown technology serves only defensive purposes and is crucial for maintaining the country’s sovereignty.


veteranstoday--2020-06-18--General Suggests Honorable Names for Military Bases to Replace “Trump Traitors”

Submitted to VT by the Washington Post Ty Seidule , retired U.S. Army brigadier general and professor emeritus of history at West Point , writes in Washington Post Opinions : Ten Army posts named during World Wars I and II honor men who fought for the Confederate States of America against the United States of America .
These men committed treason to create a country dedicated to human enslavement .
The posts must be renamed — as should another , in Virginia , given what its name honors .
But whom should the Army honor ?
The number of Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 245-year existence is enormous .
Here are just a few suggestions , drawing on soldiers who represent the strength , values and diversity of the Army ’ s storied history .
These 11 individuals displayed extraordinary courage , competence and commitment .
There are hundreds and hundreds of other worthy soldiers who could be honored .
Our nation would not miss the names currently on these installations — and the Army has so many heroes to choose from .
• During World War II , Audie Murphy received every award for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plus honors from France and Belgium .
Murphy received the Medal of Honor for mounting a flaming tank destroyer and manning a .50-caliber machine gun , wounding or killing 50 German soldiers , by himself .
Today , senior noncommissioned officers compete to join the Audie Murphy Club , a recognition of excellence .
• After a terrible wound during his first tour of Vietnam , Master Sgt .
Roy Benavidez volunteered to return in 1968 with his Special Forces unit .
During “ six hours in hell , ” he saved the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he later received the Medal of Honor .
At one point an enemy soldier stabbed Benavidez with a bayonet .
Although grievously injured , Benavidez pulled the knife from his body , killed the man and continued his mission .
• Home of the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division , this fort should honor Matthew Ridgway , who commanded both units during World War II .
During the Korean War , Ridgway took command of the Eighth Army , which was reeling from Chinese assaults .
In just two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the attack , defeating the enemy in battle after battle .
• Who is Belvoir ?
Trick question .
The answer is not a who but a what .
Belvoir was the name of a slave plantation owned by a British loyalist .
It burned to the ground in 1783 .
Few people realize that the post was called Camp A.A. Humphreys , for a Union general , until 1935 .
The fort is located only 15 miles south of the White House , and President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-Va. ) , an avowed white supremacist .
This name should be changed to Fort Grant , after Ulysses S. Grant , the finest officer to ever wear a U.S. Army uniform .
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Submitted to VT by the Washington Post
Ty Seidule, retired U.S. Army brigadier general and professor emeritus of history at West Point, writes in Washington Post Opinions: Ten Army posts named during World Wars I and II honor men who fought for the Confederate States of America against the United States of America. These men committed treason to create a country dedicated to human enslavement. The posts must be renamed — as should another, in Virginia, given what its name honors. But whom should the Army honor?
The number of Army heroes over the course of the service’s 245-year existence is enormous. Here are just a few suggestions, drawing on soldiers who represent the strength, values and diversity of the Army’s storied history.
These 11 individuals displayed extraordinary courage, competence and commitment. There are hundreds and hundreds of other worthy soldiers who could be honored. Our nation would not miss the names currently on these installations — and the Army has so many heroes to choose from.
Full op-ed: https://wapo.st/3dcwb91
Excerpts: Fort Hood (Tex.) to Fort Murphy During World War II, Audie Murphy received every award for valor given by the U.S. Army, plus honors from France and Belgium. Murphy received the Medal of Honor for mounting a flaming tank destroyer and manning a .50-caliber machine gun, wounding or killing 50 German soldiers, by himself. Today, senior noncommissioned officers compete to join the Audie Murphy Club, a recognition of excellence. Fort Polk (La.) to Fort Benavidez After a terrible wound during his first tour of Vietnam, Master Sgt. Roy Benavidez volunteered to return in 1968 with his Special Forces unit. During “six hours in hell,” he saved the lives of eight fellow soldiers, for which he later received the Medal of Honor. At one point an enemy soldier stabbed Benavidez with a bayonet. Although grievously injured, Benavidez pulled the knife from his body, killed the man and continued his mission. Fort Bragg (N.C.) to Fort Ridgway Home of the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division, this fort should honor Matthew Ridgway, who commanded both units during World War II. During the Korean War, Ridgway took command of the Eighth Army, which was reeling from Chinese assaults. In just two weeks, he had the Army back on the attack, defeating the enemy in battle after battle. Fort Belvoir (Va.) to Fort Grant Who is Belvoir? Trick question. The answer is not a who but a what. Belvoir was the name of a slave plantation owned by a British loyalist. It burned to the ground in 1783. Few people realize that the post was called Camp A.A. Humphreys, for a Union general, until 1935. The fort is located only 15 miles south of the White House, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the change to appease Rep. Howard W. Smith (D-Va.), an avowed white supremacist. This name should be changed to Fort Grant, after Ulysses S. Grant, the finest officer to ever wear a U.S. Army uniform.


veteranstoday--2020-06-18--Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Falls Short in Treating COVID-19

Roche rheumatoid arthritis drug fails to help COVID-19 patients in Italian study Despite the setback , the Swiss drugmaker said that it is pressing ahead with testing Actemra in another trial against COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus .
Actemra did not reduce severe respiratory symptoms , intensive care visits , or death any better than standard treatments , the Italian Medicines Agency ( Aifa ) , Italy ’ s drugs regulator which authorized the study , said in a statement on Wednesday .
The trial , which enrolled 126 patients , about a third of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interim analysis raised doubts about the anti-inflammatory medicine ’ s effectiveness .
“ Although not effective in all patients with COVID-19 pneumonia , it is possible that selected subgroups of patients may have a better response , ” Aifa said .
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Roche rheumatoid arthritis drug fails to help COVID-19 patients in Italian study
by Emilio Parodi, Carl O’Donnell
Despite the setback, the Swiss drugmaker said that it is pressing ahead with testing Actemra in another trial against COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
Actemra did not reduce severe respiratory symptoms, intensive care visits, or death any better than standard treatments, the Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa), Italy’s drugs regulator which authorized the study, said in a statement on Wednesday.
The trial, which enrolled 126 patients, about a third of the intended number, was stopped early after an interim analysis raised doubts about the anti-inflammatory medicine’s effectiveness.
“Although not effective in all patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, it is possible that selected subgroups of patients may have a better response,” Aifa said.
Read More:


veteranstoday--2020-06-18--Health Care Workers Petition Arizona Gov. To Make Face Masks in Public Mandatory

About 1,000 Health Care Workers Petitioned Arizona Governor to Make Face Masks Mandatory in Public Places David Schulzinger started this petition to Martha McSally and I find it unacceptable that your answer is that business must continue and that we need to learn to live alongside Covid .
I find it unacceptable that you are not mandating masks .
I find it unacceptable that you ’ re not even supporting masks .
We need to require masks in all public areas .
We need to pump the brakes on any further reopening until you have met CDC reopening requirements , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The last thing we need is our fellow Arizonans out and about , breathing in each others ’ air conditioned recirculated air , not wearing masks .
Asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic spread of this virus has been shown as a source of community transmission .
This is true whether you find it politically convenient or not .
Masks should be worn by all first responders , all medical staff , and all government employees , including you .
You should be leading by example .
I want you to use your platform to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mandate it .
You should do everything in your limited power to limit spread and save lives .
We need to be wearing masks .
The data is clear .
I demand that this policy be enacted….read more : ATTENTION READERS Due to the nature of independent content , VT can not guarantee content validity .
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About 1,000 Health Care Workers Petitioned Arizona Governor to Make Face Masks Mandatory in Public Places
David Schulzinger started this petition to Martha McSally and 2 others
Petition Title:
Make masks mandatory in Public Places throughout Arizona
Governor Ducey,
I find it unacceptable that your answer is that business must continue and that we need to learn to live alongside Covid. I find it unacceptable that you are not mandating masks. I find it unacceptable that you’re not even supporting masks. We need to require masks in all public areas.
We need to pump the brakes on any further reopening until you have met CDC reopening requirements, which, incidentally, we HAVE NOT. The last thing we need is our fellow Arizonans out and about, breathing in each others’ air conditioned recirculated air, not wearing masks. Asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic spread of this virus has been shown as a source of community transmission. This is true whether you find it politically convenient or not.
Masks should be worn by all first responders, all medical staff, and all government employees, including you. You should be leading by example. I want you to use your platform to normalize the wearing of masks in public and mandate it. You should do everything in your limited power to limit spread and save lives. We need to be wearing masks. The data is clear. I demand that this policy be enacted….read more:


veteranstoday--2020-06-18--Why John Bolton is Lying About Trump

Why John Bolton is Lying About Trump

There is no question , Bolton is a liar , he always has been .
Trump needed a liar , one with a history of supporting fake intelligence as Bolton had done when he helped the Israel-o-cons destroy Iraq under the fake presidency of George W Bush , another president who , like Trump , was never elected .
Both elections , according to exit polls , weren ’ t just impossible , they were clearly rigged .
During what little Trump recount was done , Wisconsin in particular , precincts voting at over 110 % were found , nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the reporting was quashed and watchdogs bought off by the Israel lobby .
It was like watching a slow-motion train wreck ( as are most things nowadays ) .
Let ’ s look at what Bolton is saying so far .
He accuses Trump of playing up to Saudi Arabia , where Trump actually covers up the murder of Kashoggi by suppressing evidence ( from the CIA ) .
This is a crime : A person who learns of the crime after it is committed and helps the criminal to conceal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escaping , or simply fails to report the crime , is known as an “ accessory after the fact “ .
Trump is guilty of complicity in the Khashoggi murder and the case is a slam dunk .
Bolton also accuses Trump of being paid off by China , loans , trademarks for Ivanka , business licenses and the same from Saudi Arabia and Turkey .
Where is Bolton lying ?
Trump is working for , not Israel as such , but the ultra-nationalist apartheid party , the Likudists , which is made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to organized crime .
By “ organized crime ” we mean the Kosher Nostra , with its heart of Jewish-Ukrainian and Jewish Russian mob-lagarchs and their US partners who make up the MEGA group , the board of the ADL and the neocons .
Bolton was their “ boy toy ” all along and his attacks on Trump , for some very strange reason , leave out the primary criminal acts of Trump ’ s family business , selling the American military to act as an enforcer for the Kosher Nostra , ostensibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep the weaklings and cowards of America ’ s Jewish community on board with mass murder , apartheid and global bullying , the US moved its embassy to Quds , an Arab city with NO native Jewish population and is backing Israel ’ s expansion into the West Bank , Golan and further , even into Iraq .
This was Bolton ’ s plan all along and he is the one that led Trump ’ s policies there , policies both still support , the primary policies of the Trump regime , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between two worthless oxygen wasters , a mustache without a man and a haircut without a brain under it .
Yes , we know Trump can ’ t find Britain on a map or believes Venezuela and Finland are the same country , but who cares about that .
After all , as with so many wealthy and spoiled brats , particularly those who avoided Vietnam like Bush 43 and Trump , the harsh judgment of bad genes has defined their lives , addictions , personality disorders , early-onset dementia , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t Trump ’ s boy , he tried to make Trump his boy .
Trump had been the Kosher Nostra ’ s boy all along and Bolton wormed his way in , talentless hack he is , as Trump surrounded himself with morons and crybabies like Flynn .
and so it goes…

By Gordon Duff, Senior Editor
There is no question, Bolton is a liar, he always has been. Trump needed a liar, one with a history of supporting fake intelligence as Bolton had done when he helped the Israel-o-cons destroy Iraq under the fake presidency of George W Bush, another president who, like Trump, was never elected.
Both elections, according to exit polls, weren’t just impossible, they were clearly rigged. During what little Trump recount was done, Wisconsin in particular, precincts voting at over 110% were found, nearly 100% Trump, many of them, and the reporting was quashed and watchdogs bought off by the Israel lobby. It was like watching a slow-motion train wreck (as are most things nowadays).
Let’s look at what Bolton is saying so far. He accuses Trump of playing up to Saudi Arabia, where Trump actually covers up the murder of Kashoggi by suppressing evidence (from the CIA). This is a crime:
A person who learns of the crime after it is committed and helps the criminal to conceal it, or aids the criminal in escaping, or simply fails to report the crime, is known as an “accessory after the fact“.
Trump is guilty of complicity in the Khashoggi murder and the case is a slam dunk.
Bolton also accuses Trump of being paid off by China, loans, trademarks for Ivanka, business licenses and the same from Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Where is Bolton lying?
Trump is working for, not Israel as such, but the ultra-nationalist apartheid party, the Likudists, which is made up of Bolsheviks primarily with strong ties to organized crime. By “organized crime” we mean the Kosher Nostra, with its heart of Jewish-Ukrainian and Jewish Russian mob-lagarchs and their US partners who make up the MEGA group, the board of the ADL and the neocons.
Bolton was their “boy toy” all along and his attacks on Trump, for some very strange reason, leave out the primary criminal acts of Trump’s family business, selling the American military to act as an enforcer for the Kosher Nostra, ostensibly led by Benjamin Netanyahu.
In order to keep the weaklings and cowards of America’s Jewish community on board with mass murder, apartheid and global bullying, the US moved its embassy to Quds, an Arab city with NO native Jewish population and is backing Israel’s expansion into the West Bank, Golan and further, even into Iraq.
This was Bolton’s plan all along and he is the one that led Trump’s policies there, policies both still support, the primary policies of the Trump regime, which makes one wonder why the breakup between two worthless oxygen wasters, a mustache without a man and a haircut without a brain under it.
Yes, we know Trump can’t find Britain on a map or believes Venezuela and Finland are the same country, but who cares about that. After all, as with so many wealthy and spoiled brats, particularly those who avoided Vietnam like Bush 43 and Trump, the harsh judgment of bad genes has defined their lives, addictions, personality disorders, early-onset dementia, and a streak of sadistic cruelty.
Bolton wasn’t Trump’s boy, he tried to make Trump his boy. Trump had been the Kosher Nostra’s boy all along and Bolton wormed his way in, talentless hack he is, as Trump surrounded himself with morons and crybabies like Flynn.
and so it goes…


veteranstoday--2020-06-18--Several States See Uptick in COVID-19 Cases

COVID-19 cases surge in Oklahoma , other states ahead of Trump ’ s Tulsa rally PHOENIX ( Reuters ) – Several U.S. states including Oklahoma reported a surge in new coronavirus infections on Wednesday , days before a planned campaign rally for President Donald Trump in Tulsa that would be the nation ’ s largest indoor social gathering in three months .
An uptick in coronavirus cases in many states over the past two weeks , along with rising COVID-19 hospitalizations , reflected a troubling national trend that has seen daily U.S. infection numbers climbing after more than a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 259 new cases over the previous 24 hours , while Florida reported more than 2,600 new cases and Arizona more than 1,800 – the second-highest daily increases for those two states .
In Arizona , where doctors , nurses and health administrators called for making face coverings mandatory statewide in public places , Governor Doug Ducey said he would let local officials decide whether to impose such rules and how to enforce them .
“ If you do go out , wear a mask .
It ’ s the smart thing to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kate Gallego immediately tweeted that a vote on a proposed ordinance to require face masks outdoors in the nation ’ s fifth-largest city would go on the agenda for the city council ’ s next meeting .
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COVID-19 cases surge in Oklahoma, other states ahead of Trump’s Tulsa rally
by Lisa Shumaker and David Swartz/Reuters Health News
PHOENIX (Reuters) – Several U.S. states including Oklahoma reported a surge in new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, days before a planned campaign rally for President Donald Trump in Tulsa that would be the nation’s largest indoor social gathering in three months.
An uptick in coronavirus cases in many states over the past two weeks, along with rising COVID-19 hospitalizations, reflected a troubling national trend that has seen daily U.S. infection numbers climbing after more than a month of declines.
Oklahoma reported a record 259 new cases over the previous 24 hours, while Florida reported more than 2,600 new cases and Arizona more than 1,800 – the second-highest daily increases for those two states.
In Arizona, where doctors, nurses and health administrators called for making face coverings mandatory statewide in public places, Governor Doug Ducey said he would let local officials decide whether to impose such rules and how to enforce them.
“If you do go out, wear a mask. It’s the smart thing to do,” he said.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego immediately tweeted that a vote on a proposed ordinance to require face masks outdoors in the nation’s fifth-largest city would go on the agenda for the city council’s next meeting.
Read More:


veteranstoday--2020-06-18--India Accelerates Arms Race in South Asia

It is most regrettable that by ignoring the modern global trends like renunciation of war , peaceful settlement of disputes and economic development , India has accelerated alarming arms race in South Asia .
In this regard , in its report , the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute ( SIPRI ) has revealed on February 17 , 2020 that in 2019 , total global military expenditure rose to $ 1917 billion in 2019 .
It said that the five largest spenders in 2019 accounted for 62 per cent of expenditure .
India is among the world ’ s largest recipient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Balance 2018 ’ report of IISS , “ India ’ s defence budget broke into the world ’ s top five…beating the UK for the first time…India overtook the UK as the fifth-largest defence spender in the world in 2017 at $ 52.5 billion , up from $ 51.1 billion in 2016.
” It is notable that India test-fired its longest range surface-to-surface nuclear ballistic missile Agni-5 on December 26 , 2017 .
Agni-5 is capable of striking a target of more than 5,000 km away .
The missile can carry a nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It can target almost all of Asia , including Pakistan , China and Europe .
While , the Agni-6 is reported to be in early stages of development and the most advanced version , with a strike-range of 8,000-10,000 km .
New Delhi already has in its arsenal—the Agni 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 missile systems and supersonic cruise missiles like Brahmos .
According to Times of India , “ Once the Agni-V is inducted , India will join the super exclusive club of countries with ICBMs ( missiles with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US , Russia , China , France and the UK.
” Although peace and brinksmanship can not co-exist in the modern era , yet India seeks to destabilize Asia through its aggressive designs , activated with new arms race .
Recall , on September 25 , 2008 , President Barack Obama , while accusing President Bush ’ s policies in the region , offered it as part of his policy to encourage India and Pakistan to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty ( CTBT ) and resolve the Kashmir problem to reduce nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region .
Quite contrary to his commitments , during his first visit to New Delhi , on November 6 , 2010 President Obama announced the measures , America would take regarding removal of Indian space and defence companies from a restricted “ entities list ” , and supported Indian demand for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council , including membership of four key global nuclear nonproliferation regimes .
And as part of the double standards , America set aside the Indian poor record regarding the safety of nuclear weapons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various international agreements and its refusal to sign Non-Proliferation Treaty ( NPT ) , Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty ( CTBT ) and Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) , Washington signed a pact of nuclear civil technology with New Delhi in 2008 .
During American President Barack Obama ’ s visit to India , on January 25 , 2016 , the US and India announced a breakthrough on the pact which would allow American companies to supply New Delhi with civilian nuclear technology .
New Delhi ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipments from combat aircraft to submarines and artillery .
In this connection , on November 2 , 2010 , the US agreed to sell India the new F-35 fighter jets , including US F-16 and F-18 fighters , C-17 and C-130 aircraft , radar systems , Harpoon weapons etc .
Besides acquisition of arms and weapons from other western countries—especially Israel , America is a potential military supplier to India .
US also pressurized IAEA and the Nuclear Suppliers Group to grant a waiver to New Delhi for obtaining civil nuclear trade on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maker Dassault Aviation has handed over three Rafale multirole fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force .
Delivery of all 36 aircraft is expected to be completed by April 2022 .
In fact , US wants New Delhi to continue anti-China and anti-Pakistan role .
Beijing is apprehensive about the emerging threat , as during the last visit of Obama to New Delhi , the intent of President Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quite clear , while mentioning about free sea lanes and air passages in the South China Sea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US President Donald Trump ’ s two-day visit to India , New Delhi and Washington on February 25 , this year signed defence deals worth $ 3 billion , as President Donald Trump in a joint statement with PM Narendra Modi stated that the two countries have finalised defence deals .
It is worth-mentioning that as part of Indian war-mongering diplomacy , in the recent past tensions which still remains , arose between India and China when in response to India ’ s construction of roads and airstrips adjacent to the Line of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will improve connectivity and enable easier mobility for Indian troops in the area , thousands of Chinese People ’ s Liberation Army ( PLA ) troops moved into the regions along the eastern Ladakh border , setting up tents and stationing vehicles and heavy machinery .
Likewise , tension remains over the Line of Control ( LoC ) in Kashmir , as India keeps on violating the ceasefire-agreement by shelling Pakistani side of Kashmir in wake of the unresolved issue of Kashmir .
India has escalated tensions with Islamabad particularly in the aftermath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Puwama-Indian Occupied Kashmir ( IOK ) .
In this respect , on February 27 , last year , in response to the Indian so-called pre-emptive air strike near the town of Balakot , close to the border with Pakistan ’ s sector of Kashmir , Pakistan Air Force ( PAF ) shot down two Indian Air Force ( IAF ) fighter jets and launched aerial strikes at six targets in the IOK .
Meanwhile , implementing the August 5 announcement of 2019 , Indian central government issued a map on October 31 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two union territories—Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and identifies Pakistani side of Azad Kashmir as well as certain areas of Gilgit-Baltistan as an Indian territory .
Islamabad and Beijing had rejected the map .
Regarding the India-Nepal confrontation , a new road opened by New Delhi which passes through the disputed territory has roused territorial dispute between the two countries .
The link road connects Dharchula in the India state of Uttarakhand to the Lipu Lekh pass near the LAC–India ’ s border with China .
Notably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ex-Army Chief , General Deepak Kapoor had said on December 29 , 2010 that the Indian army “ is now revising its five-year old doctrine ” and is preparing for a “ possible two-front war with China and Pakistan.
” And with the US-led Indo-Israeli secret diplomacy , New Delhi has been acquiring an element of strategic depth by setting up logistical bases in the Indian Ocean for its navy .
In this context , while replying to a question , in his interview , published in the Indian weekly Outlook on February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ambassador to India , Mark Sofer , had surprisingly revealed : “ We do have a defense relationship with India , and with all due respect , the secret part will remain a secret.
” Particularly , fast growing economic power of China coupled with her rising strategic relationship with Russia , the Third World and especially Pakistan—after signing of the agreement , “ China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ” which is , though for the benefit of South Asia , but , has irked the eyes of Americans , Indians and Israelis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make India a major power to counterbalance China in Asia .
It is owing to the American dual policy that New Delhi openly follows threatening diplomacy in South Asia .
In this respect , in May 1998 when India detonated five nuclear tests and also compelled Pakistan to follow the suit .
The then Defense Minister George Fernandes had also declared publicly that “ China is India ’ s potential threat No .
1.
” Now , by setting aside peace-offers of Beijing and Islamabad , New Delhi has entangled the latter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by pursuing the US double standards , President Trump is also favouring India .
So , manipulating American conflicting policy in South Asia , New Delhi is destabilizing the regional countries in general and Afghanistan , Pakistan and China in particular by supporting insurgency in these countries .
While , international community has been making strenuous efforts for world peace in wake of global financial crisis and war against terrorism , especially against ISIL ( Daesh or ISIS ) , but , emboldened by the US , India has accelerated alarming nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are already facing multiple problems of grave nature .
Majority of South Asian people are living below the poverty level , lacking basic facilities like fresh food and clean water .
Yielding to acute poverty , every day , some persons commit suicide .
Even , Indian civil society organizations , while complaining of Indian excessive defense spending , pointed out that the government spends very little amount for the betterment of people .
Indian defense analyst Ravinder Pal Singh , while indicating New Delhi ’ s unending defense expenditures at the cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We can conclude that India has accelerated alarming arms race in South Asia , while following war-like strategy against Pakistan and China .
If not checked by the international community , it can culminate into a nuclear war between India and Pakistan or between India and China .
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book : US vs Islamic Militants , Invisible Balance of Power : Dangerous Shift in International Relations

By Sajjad Shaukat for VT
It is most regrettable that by ignoring the modern global trends like renunciation of war, peaceful settlement of disputes and economic development, India has accelerated alarming arms race in South Asia.
In this regard, in its report, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has revealed on February 17, 2020 that in 2019, total global military expenditure rose to $1917 billion in 2019. It said that the five largest spenders in 2019 accounted for 62 per cent of expenditure. India is among the world’s largest recipient of arms.´
According to the ‘Military Balance 2018’ report of IISS, “India’s defence budget broke into the world’s top five…beating the UK for the first time…India overtook the UK as the fifth-largest defence spender in the world in 2017 at $52.5 billion, up from $51.1 billion in 2016.”
It is notable that India test-fired its longest range surface-to-surface nuclear ballistic missile Agni-5 on December 26, 2017.
Agni-5 is capable of striking a target of more than 5,000 km away. The missile can carry a nuclear warhead of more than one tone. It can target almost all of Asia, including Pakistan, China and Europe. While, the Agni-6 is reported to be in early stages of development and the most advanced version, with a strike-range of 8,000-10,000 km.
New Delhi already has in its arsenal—the Agni 1, 2, 3 and 4 missile systems and supersonic cruise missiles like Brahmos.
According to Times of India, “Once the Agni-V is inducted, India will join the super exclusive club of countries with ICBMs (missiles with a range of over 5,000-5,500km) alongside the US, Russia, China, France and the UK.”
Although peace and brinksmanship cannot co-exist in the modern era, yet India seeks to destabilize Asia through its aggressive designs, activated with new arms race.
Recall, on September 25, 2008, President Barack Obama, while accusing President Bush’s policies in the region, offered it as part of his policy to encourage India and Pakistan to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and resolve the Kashmir problem to reduce nuclear dangers in South Asia and militancy in the region.
Quite contrary to his commitments, during his first visit to New Delhi, on November 6, 2010 President Obama announced the measures, America would take regarding removal of Indian space and defence companies from a restricted “entities list”, and supported Indian demand for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, including membership of four key global nuclear nonproliferation regimes.
And as part of the double standards, America set aside the Indian poor record regarding the safety of nuclear weapons and materials. Despite, Indian violations of various international agreements and its refusal to sign Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Washington signed a pact of nuclear civil technology with New Delhi in 2008. During American President Barack Obama’s visit to India, on January 25, 2016, the US and India announced a breakthrough on the pact which would allow American companies to supply New Delhi with civilian nuclear technology.
New Delhi’s military is acquiring a slew of new equipments from combat aircraft to submarines and artillery.
In this connection, on November 2, 2010, the US agreed to sell India the new F-35 fighter jets, including US F-16 and F-18 fighters, C-17 and C-130 aircraft, radar systems, Harpoon weapons etc. Besides acquisition of arms and weapons from other western countries—especially Israel, America is a potential military supplier to India. US also pressurized IAEA and the Nuclear Suppliers Group to grant a waiver to New Delhi for obtaining civil nuclear trade on larger scale.
Besides, French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation has handed over three Rafale multirole fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force. Delivery of all 36 aircraft is expected to be completed by April 2022.
In fact, US wants New Delhi to continue anti-China and anti-Pakistan role. Beijing is apprehensive about the emerging threat, as during the last visit of Obama to New Delhi, the intent of President Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quite clear, while mentioning about free sea lanes and air passages in the South China Sea.
It is mentionable that during the US President Donald Trump’s two-day visit to India, New Delhi and Washington on February 25, this year signed defence deals worth $3 billion, as President Donald Trump in a joint statement with PM Narendra Modi stated that the two countries have finalised defence deals.
It is worth-mentioning that as part of Indian war-mongering diplomacy, in the recent past tensions which still remains, arose between India and China when in response to India’s construction of roads and airstrips adjacent to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which will improve connectivity and enable easier mobility for Indian troops in the area, thousands of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops moved into the regions along the eastern Ladakh border, setting up tents and stationing vehicles and heavy machinery.
Likewise, tension remains over the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, as India keeps on violating the ceasefire-agreement by shelling Pakistani side of Kashmir in wake of the unresolved issue of Kashmir.
India has escalated tensions with Islamabad particularly in the aftermath of the false flag terror attack at Puwama-Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). In this respect, on February 27, last year, in response to the Indian so-called pre-emptive air strike near the town of Balakot, close to the border with Pakistan’s sector of Kashmir, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down two Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets and launched aerial strikes at six targets in the IOK.
Meanwhile, implementing the August 5 announcement of 2019, Indian central government issued a map on October 31, 2019. In accordance with it, Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two union territories—Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and identifies Pakistani side of Azad Kashmir as well as certain areas of Gilgit-Baltistan as an Indian territory. Islamabad and Beijing had rejected the map.
Regarding the India-Nepal confrontation, a new road opened by New Delhi which passes through the disputed territory has roused territorial dispute between the two countries. The link road connects Dharchula in the India state of Uttarakhand to the Lipu Lekh pass near the LAC–India’s border with China.
Notably, under the Pak-China pretext, Indian ex-Army Chief, General Deepak Kapoor had said on December 29, 2010 that the Indian army “is now revising its five-year old doctrine” and is preparing for a “possible two-front war with China and Pakistan.”
And with the US-led Indo-Israeli secret diplomacy, New Delhi has been acquiring an element of strategic depth by setting up logistical bases in the Indian Ocean for its navy.
In this context, while replying to a question, in his interview, published in the Indian weekly Outlook on February 18, 2008, the then Israel’s ambassador to India, Mark Sofer, had surprisingly revealed: “We do have a defense relationship with India, and with all due respect, the secret part will remain a secret.”
Particularly, fast growing economic power of China coupled with her rising strategic relationship with Russia, the Third World and especially Pakistan—after signing of the agreement, “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor” which is, though for the benefit of South Asia, but, has irked the eyes of Americans, Indians and Israelis. Owing to jealousy, America desires to make India a major power to counterbalance China in Asia.
It is owing to the American dual policy that New Delhi openly follows threatening diplomacy in South Asia. In this respect, in May 1998 when India detonated five nuclear tests and also compelled Pakistan to follow the suit. The then Defense Minister George Fernandes had also declared publicly that “China is India’s potential threat No. 1.” Now, by setting aside peace-offers of Beijing and Islamabad, New Delhi has entangled the latter in a deadly arms race.
Similarly, by pursuing the US double standards, President Trump is also favouring India. So, manipulating American conflicting policy in South Asia, New Delhi is destabilizing the regional countries in general and Afghanistan, Pakistan and China in particular by supporting insurgency in these countries.
While, international community has been making strenuous efforts for world peace in wake of global financial crisis and war against terrorism, especially against ISIL (Daesh or ISIS), but, emboldened by the US, India has accelerated alarming nuclear arms race in South Asia where people are already facing multiple problems of grave nature. Majority of South Asian people are living below the poverty level, lacking basic facilities like fresh food and clean water. Yielding to acute poverty, every day, some persons commit suicide.
Even, Indian civil society organizations, while complaining of Indian excessive defense spending, pointed out that the government spends very little amount for the betterment of people. Indian defense analyst Ravinder Pal Singh, while indicating New Delhi’s unending defense expenditures at the cost of poverty-alleviation, calls it guns-versus-butter question.
We can conclude that India has accelerated alarming arms race in South Asia, while following war-like strategy against Pakistan and China. If not checked by the international community, it can culminate into a nuclear war between India and Pakistan or between India and China.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com


veteranstoday--2020-06-19--Genes and Blood Type Are Tied to Risk of Severed COVID-19

Many people who contract COVID-19 have only a mild illness , or sometimes no symptoms at all .
But others develop respiratory failure that requires oxygen support or even a ventilator to help them recover [ 1 ] .
It ’ s clear that this happens more often in men than in women , as well as in people who are older or who have chronic health conditions .
But why does respiratory failure also sometimes occur in people who are young and seemingly healthy ?
A new study suggests that part of the answer to this question may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us carries [ 2 ] .
While more research is needed to pinpoint the precise underlying genes and mechanisms responsible , a recent genome-wide association ( GWAS ) study , just published in the New England Journal of Medicine , finds that gene variants in two regions of the human genome are associated with severe COVID-19 and correspondingly carry a greater risk of COVID-19-related death .
The two stretches of DNA implicated as harboring risks for severe COVID-19 are known to carry some intriguing genes , including one that determines blood type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the immune system .
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Genes, Blood Type Tied to Risk of Severe COVID-19
NIH/Dr. Francis Collins
Many people who contract COVID-19 have only a mild illness, or sometimes no symptoms at all. But others develop respiratory failure that requires oxygen support or even a ventilator to help them recover [1]. It’s clear that this happens more often in men than in women, as well as in people who are older or who have chronic health conditions. But why does respiratory failure also sometimes occur in people who are young and seemingly healthy?
A new study suggests that part of the answer to this question may be found in the genes that each one of us carries [2]. While more research is needed to pinpoint the precise underlying genes and mechanisms responsible, a recent genome-wide association (GWAS) study, just published in the New England Journal of Medicine, finds that gene variants in two regions of the human genome are associated with severe COVID-19 and correspondingly carry a greater risk of COVID-19-related death.
The two stretches of DNA implicated as harboring risks for severe COVID-19 are known to carry some intriguing genes, including one that determines blood type and others that play various roles in the immune system. ….read more:
Carol graduated from Riverside White Cross School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio and received her diploma as a registered nurse. She attended Bowling Green State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Literature. She attended the University of Toledo, College of Nursing, and received a Master’s of Nursing Science Degree as an Educator. She has traveled extensively, is a photographer, and writes on medical issues. Carol has three children RJ, Katherine, and Stephen – one daughter-in-law; Katie – two granddaughters; Isabella Marianna and Zoe Olivia – and one grandson, Alexander Paul. She also shares her life with her husband Gordon Duff, many cats, and two rescues. Carol’s Archives 2009-2013


veteranstoday--2020-06-19--DOD: Understanding the Potential of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma

The Department of Defense has set a goal to collect more than 8,000 donated units of plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 by Sept. 30 , 2020 .
This blood will be used to treat critically ill patients and support the development of an effective treatment against the disease .
Like a missile locking on its target , antibodies attack invaders inside the body with a singularity of purpose : search and destroy .
Typically , infection-fighting white blood cells produce antibodies as an appropriate response to an invading germ .
In some people whose immune systems can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a virus , donated antibodies from another person ’ s plasma may help .
Researchers believe the power of antibodies lies in their ability to bind to a virus and neutralize it , or block it from entering cells , said Dr. Kayvon Modjarrad , director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Branch at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring , Maryland .
Modjarrad leads the Army ’ s COVID-19 vaccine development research .
But not all antibodies are created the same .
“ Antibodies come in different flavors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them are non-neutralizing and we don ’ t know exactly which individuals are developing what type of antibody , ” said Shelly Krebs , chief of B Cell Biology Core at WRAIR Military HIV Research program .
COVID-19 convalescent plasma , or CCP , from a recovered patient could be a mixture of both neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibodies .
In fact , people infected with COVID-19 can have varying antibody responses .
Some may not have enough antibodies in their plasma to benefit another patient , which is why CCP first needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before transfusing , explained Modjarrad .
His lab works to understand the mechanism of COVID-19 antibodies to predict the levels required to offer a person protection from the virus .
Transfusing antibodies provides short-term immunity as the donor antibodies last several weeks to months inside the body , said Navy Capt .
( Dr. ) Todd Gleeson of the Navy Bloodborne Infection Management Center , located at Naval Support Activity Bethesda , Maryland .
“ It is likely that a person with COVID-19 who receives CCP will also still develop their own immune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus if that person is re-exposed in the future , ” said Gleeson , who leads a convalescent plasma study of patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center also at NSAB in Bethesda .
But scientists just can ’ t confirm that yet .
They hope to uncover the answer and many more as they study CCP and COVID-19 antibodies to better treat patients and develop future vaccines .
Military medical treatment facilities will soon take part in an observational study across the Department of Defense to help researchers track trends among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help trace recovered patients to ask for CCP donations as the DoD seeks to build a storehouse of CCP for patients admitted to Military Health System facilities and those deployed outside the U.S. , explained Army Col. ( Dr. ) Andrew Cap , director of research at the Army Institute of Surgical Research in San Antonio , Texas .
“ The goal is to build a convalescent plasma capability within the DoD , both on the collection and on the treatment side , ” said Cap , who helped draft a CCP protocol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to the development of highly concentrated neutralizing antibodies extracted from large quantities of convalescent plasma as a potential therapy for prevention and treatment , added Cap .
Scientists believe monoclonal antibodies—derived from a single immune cell—may also hold potential as both a treatment and preventive measure against COVID-19 .
Krebs and her team have engineered monoclonal antibodies in the lab by isolating the best neutralizing antibodies from CCP samples to create an army of exact replicas that target the COVID-19 virus down to the atomic level , explained Modjarrad .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to target , and we know the kinetics of how long it will last in the body and how long it will provide protection , ” he explained , noting convalescent plasma does not provide that level of effectiveness .
“ CCP is not generally used for prevention but for treatment.
” Monoclonal antibodies could be used for both treatment and prevention of COVID-19 because the transfused neutralizing antibodies would provide immediate immunity , he added .
Monoclonal antibodies have been in use for decades and revolutionized cancer treatment .
Krebs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19 into animal studies this summer .
“ Our primary goal is to come up with a treatment for people who have COVID-19 , ” she said .
Anyone able to donate convalescent plasma should contact the Armed Services Blood Program or go online to find a complete list of available collection centers .

Understanding the potential of COVID-19 convalescent plasma
by Military Health System Communications Office
The Department of Defense has set a goal to collect more than 8,000 donated units of plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 by Sept. 30, 2020. This blood will be used to treat critically ill patients and support the development of an effective treatment against the disease.
Like a missile locking on its target, antibodies attack invaders inside the body with a singularity of purpose: search and destroy. Typically, infection-fighting white blood cells produce antibodies as an appropriate response to an invading germ. In some people whose immune systems can’t mount a sufficient attack against a virus, donated antibodies from another person’s plasma may help. Researchers believe the power of antibodies lies in their ability to bind to a virus and neutralize it, or block it from entering cells, said Dr. Kayvon Modjarrad, director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Branch at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Maryland. Modjarrad leads the Army’s COVID-19 vaccine development research.
But not all antibodies are created the same. “Antibodies come in different flavors, some of them are neutralizing and some of them are non-neutralizing and we don’t know exactly which individuals are developing what type of antibody,” said Shelly Krebs, chief of B Cell Biology Core at WRAIR Military HIV Research program.
COVID-19 convalescent plasma, or CCP, from a recovered patient could be a mixture of both neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibodies. In fact, people infected with COVID-19 can have varying antibody responses. Some may not have enough antibodies in their plasma to benefit another patient, which is why CCP first needs to be tested for neutralizing antibody levels before transfusing, explained Modjarrad. His lab works to understand the mechanism of COVID-19 antibodies to predict the levels required to offer a person protection from the virus.
Transfusing antibodies provides short-term immunity as the donor antibodies last several weeks to months inside the body, said Navy Capt. (Dr.) Todd Gleeson of the Navy Bloodborne Infection Management Center, located at Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Maryland. “It is likely that a person with COVID-19 who receives CCP will also still develop their own immune cells and produce antibodies to fight the virus if that person is re-exposed in the future,” said Gleeson, who leads a convalescent plasma study of patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center also at NSAB in Bethesda. But scientists just can’t confirm that yet. They hope to uncover the answer and many more as they study CCP and COVID-19 antibodies to better treat patients and develop future vaccines.
Military medical treatment facilities will soon take part in an observational study across the Department of Defense to help researchers track trends among patients with COVID-19. The data will help trace recovered patients to ask for CCP donations as the DoD seeks to build a storehouse of CCP for patients admitted to Military Health System facilities and those deployed outside the U.S., explained Army Col. (Dr.) Andrew Cap, director of research at the Army Institute of Surgical Research in San Antonio, Texas. “The goal is to build a convalescent plasma capability within the DoD, both on the collection and on the treatment side,” said Cap, who helped draft a CCP protocol for the DoD.
Future research may lead to the development of highly concentrated neutralizing antibodies extracted from large quantities of convalescent plasma as a potential therapy for prevention and treatment, added Cap.
Scientists believe monoclonal antibodies—derived from a single immune cell—may also hold potential as both a treatment and preventive measure against COVID-19. Krebs and her team have engineered monoclonal antibodies in the lab by isolating the best neutralizing antibodies from CCP samples to create an army of exact replicas that target the COVID-19 virus down to the atomic level, explained Modjarrad. “We know where and how well it’s going to target, and we know the kinetics of how long it will last in the body and how long it will provide protection,” he explained, noting convalescent plasma does not provide that level of effectiveness. “CCP is not generally used for prevention but for treatment.” Monoclonal antibodies could be used for both treatment and prevention of COVID-19 because the transfused neutralizing antibodies would provide immediate immunity, he added.
Monoclonal antibodies have been in use for decades and revolutionized cancer treatment. Krebs’ lab plans to expand the research into monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19 into animal studies this summer. “Our primary goal is to come up with a treatment for people who have COVID-19,” she said.
Anyone able to donate convalescent plasma should contact the Armed Services Blood Program or go online to find a complete list of available collection centers.