MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 20 April 2018

• “N.K. announces freeze on nuclear, missile tests” – “North Korea: No need for more missile tests” – “North Korea halts all nuclear, ballistic tests — agency” – “North Korea says it will suspend nuclear and missile testing”
• Catching up on internal security bits …
• “Returning ISIS members pose potential chemical weapons risk to Canada: internal government documents”
• National Post’s Stewart Bell on Twitter:  “Security Screening: Federal Court upholds deportation of Southern Cameroons Youth League member on security grounds.”
• More Stewart Bell on Twitter:  “Alleged Ottawa ISIS recruiter Awso Peshdary loses attempt to get more CSIS, RCMP records”
• “Deportation hearing begins for alleged ISIS supporter arrested in B.C.”
• “Investigator warns that B.C. man acquitted of terror charges is no ‘couch jihadist’ “ – “Judge rules man not a terrorist, police insist he’s a threat”
• “FBI agent whose tip thwarted 2016 ISIS attack in Ontario says he was glad to help” – “Greg Hunt ’97 Honored for Counterterrorism Work” (alumnus profile)
• “American who plotted thwarted Canadian rampage gets life in prison” – “Halifax Valentine’s Day mass murder plot woman sentenced” – “American gets life for Halifax mall shooting plot”
• “Why is Canada Cutting Cheques to Suspected Terrorists?” (FrontLine Security)
• Buzzword Bingo from the RCAF info-machine on staff shortages  “Managed Shortfall — The RCAF is addressing staffing shortages through targeted and creative retention and recruitment strategies …”
• Some boss changes …
• CAF Operations on Twitter:  “Commander Anthony Thys is now leading #OpKOBOLD, Canada’s contribution to NATO’s Kosovo Force. Thanks for your hard work Lieutenant-Colonel Pierre Ouellet” – Operation KOBOLD (CAF backgrounder)
• “We welcome MGen Dany Fortin as the new commander of the 1st Canadian Division HQ in Kingston. MGen Lavoie, thank you for your leadership.” (CAF Operations FB)
• #MLI updates
• “RCAF Mali Mission to use Afghanistan Playbook”
• Colonel Ted’s take  “Mission to Mali: Lew MacKenzie gets it … Team Trudeau doesn’t give a damn about peace or Mali, it’s focus is only on that worthless seat on the useless UNSC which will ensure that some Canadian diplomats are invited to a better class of cocktail party …”
• “Firms didn’t bid on Canadian Surface Combatant because of concerns about technical data, says executive”
• Way Up North
  
• “Feds invest $94M to make it safer, faster to send goods to the North” – “Government of Canada is making Arctic re-supply operations safer and more efficient for remote northern communities, through the Oceans Protection Plan” (Transport Canada info-machine)
• “(U.S.) Navy to Release Arctic Strategy This Summer, Will Include Blue Water Arctic Operations”
• Happy Military Acceptance Day, Russia! (via Russian Defense Policy blog)

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 19 April 2018

• Interesting question … “Will Gen. Vance permanently remove Vice Admiral Mark Norman from his position?”
• “Military aims to alleviate doctor shortage by increasing number of sponsored residents”
• Retired General Lew-Mac Commentary:  “Make Mali about peacekeeping, not politics”
• “Trudeau and key allies condemn Russia’s role in cyberattacks, poisoning” – “Trudeau, allies issue call to arms over Russian cyberattacks at London security briefing”
• Via the CBSA info-machine  “Beyond the border – protecting communities from drugs, guns, criminals and other high-risk goods and people”
• “Feds shut down call for new law on border searches of phones, laptops — Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale claims the move could hinder the border agency’s ability to respond to emerging threats and law-breakers …”
• “Canada: Asylum claims in Canada reached highest level in decades in 2017” (Pew Research Ctr)
• A more shrill version … “Illegal Border Crossings Set To Increase To 400 Per Day, As Trudeau Government Refuses To Take Action” (Spencer Fernando)
• “Ottawa and Quebec reach agreements to ease tensions over asylum seekers” – “Migrants: Ottawa va examiner la demande de remboursement du Québec”
• “Why the Quebec City mosque shooting was terrorism”
• Wanted:  “Test Coordinator for the Department of National Defence (DND) Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPV) Project … The Department of National Defence (DND) TAPV Project Management Office (PMO) requires the services of an Application Services – Test Coordinator Intermediate Level to manage and perform systems integration tests in order to bring the TAPV Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM) onto the DWAN …”
• Way Up North
• “Canada Looks to Unmask Stealth in the Arctic”
• “Britain intends to fight the Russia over the Arctic”
• “China and Russia go to ends of the earth for Arctic control”
• “The Arctic as the next battleground? Don’t count on it”
• “As Arctic waters open, nations plant their flags”
• “The Coast Guard Needs Six New Icebreakers to Protect U.S. Interests in the Arctic and Antarctic” (Heritage Foundation report)
• On dealing with the unexpected … “Events, injects and other predicaments” (CAN Army Today)
• “Medium Range Radar a portable, powerful addition Canadian Army toolbox” (CAN Army info-machine)
• Vets’ ‘Budman tracking performance  “At the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman, we strive to continuously improve our services to Veterans and their families. Our team of dedicated professionals is proud to assist you with your requests. We work hard to solve issues, to make objective and evidence-based recommendations, and to obtain the best outcome for you and your family. Beginning March 19th, when a complaint is received by the OVO, individuals will be asked if they would complete a client experience questionnaire when their file is closed. This new initiative will provide an opportunity for Veterans and their families to express their views and provide feedback on the service they received from our Office …”
• “(NATO’s) General Pavel: NATO ready to provide weapons to Ukraine”
• “Regaining by force or abandoning Donbas: Experts name four scenarios for east Ukraine developments — According to experts, the current situation being preserved until 2020 would be the most sustainable scenario …”
• UKR rebels still sending back MH-17 remains  “The Donetsk People’s Republic will pass Malaysian Boeing crash victims remains to the Netherlands in Donetsk on April 20, in the presence of OSCE Special Monitoring Mission personnel, head of the DPR Mission to the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination Ruslan Yakubov said on Thursday …”
• “Syria war: The online activists pushing conspiracy theories”
• “Russian Propaganda Pushes Back Against Western Airstrike on Syria’s Chemical Weapons Program”
• “Proof the White Helmets ‘Staged’ a Chemical Attack in Syria?” (Snopes)
• “Moscow Using Serbs Against Bosnia as It Did Ethnic Russians Against Ukraine”
• Back to WW 1 …
  
• “A century later, debate hasn’t quit on whether a Canadian shot down the Red Baron” – Manfred von Richthofen (Wikipedia)

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 18 April 2018

• Canada & Africa
• “Why We Are in Mali” (Canadian Defence Matters blog)
• “FLINTLOCK 18: les forces spéciales canadiennes toujours là pour épauler leurs partenaires”
• Elsewhere in Africa …  “Armies from 14 African, Europeans, and United States countries are carrying the largest annual military maneuvers of this continent, the African Lion 2018, until the end of the month … military personnel from Spain, Mauritania, Senegal, Chad, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Germany, Canada, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Greece participate …”
• “Une prison temporaire de 1 M$ au Sommet du G7”
• “Plan to give service dogs to PTSD veterans rocked by federal agency’s decision to pull out — Canadian General Standards Board won’t develop a nationwide code for training service dogs …”
• “Tiny home village will provide more than a warm place for Calgary’s homeless veterans” – “Calgary charity hopes to build veterans’ village to house homeless veterans” – “New charity aims to end homelessness for Canadian military veterans”
• “Trudeau joins Macron in celebrating air strikes on Syria” (World Socialist Web Site)
• Way Up North
• “China’s Arctic ambitions no threat to Canada, say experts”
• “Canada’s new arctic patrol ships little more than floating security guards” –  Col. Ted’s take:  “… Canada needs more than just “floating security guards” in our coastal waters, on all three coasts, but it doesn’t always need the full force of the Royal Canadian Navy. The new Harry DeWolf class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships are, in fact, constabulary ships, not warships and they are best suited to a constabulary fleet.”
• “Polar Knowledge Canada launches Call for Input for next Research and Strategic Plans for 2020-2025” (GoC info-machine)
• “Russian nuclear icebreaker serves as North Pole cruise ship”
• “Russia Is Mopping The Floor With The US In The Arctic, And It’s Downright Embarrassing”
• Wanted:  Someone to build, maintain stuff across Canada’s North
• What else is Canada buying?
• Wanted:  “FAcT – INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT UPDATE … This update is to advise Industry of an upcoming Industry Engagement Session for Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) and follows on from previous engagements …”
• Wanted:  “Food Supply and Distribution (to Richmond, Ontario)”
• “Trump Confirms CIA Chief Met with Kim Jong Un” – Trump: Pompeo met N. Korean leader, formed ‘good relationship’ “ – “More on DCI Mike Pompeo’s Secret Easter Meetings With North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un”
• Here’s what happens when NATO charters planes from countries facing sanctions (the good news: UKR still seems to be OK with chartering to NATO)  “Russia to stop outsourcing An-124 cargo aircraft to NATO” – “Volga-Dnepr Leaving NATO Salis Airlift Program” – “Strategic Airlift Interim Solution (SALIS)” (NATO info-machine)
• CHN Navy:  Hellooooooooooo, Taiwan!  “China Begins Naval Exercise Near Taiwan” – “Live-fire drill underway in the Taiwan Strait” (CHN mil media)
• “UN Security Team Comes Under Fire in Douma, Syria” – “UN team fired on at suspected Syria chemical attack site”
• Note to Kiev:  Make sure the same number of Russian “peacekeepers” leave as come in, OK?  “Kyiv: Ukraine ready to provide corridor for withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 17 April 2018

• “Forces plan rule changes as 15 per cent of Canada’s regular military unable to deploy”
• “Army to recruit Canada’s growing number of jobless medical graduates”
• “Military women relate stories of rape, sex assaults and harassment”
• En Afrique …
• “Canadian special forces from Petawawa in Africa to train troops”
• “Pardy: ‘Peacekeeping’ in Mali is but a mirage for Canada”
• “En visite à Paris, Trudeau maintient et défend sa décision d’envoyer des troupes au Mali”
• Over in #UKR …
• “German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland discussed the situation in Donbas and the possibility of deploying “blue helmets” there. The foreign ministers said this at a press conference after the talks held in Berlin on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports …” (UKR media)
• “A Farewell to ATO: Ukraine Shifts Command of Forces Serving Around Temporarily Occupied Territories” (Jamestown Fdn)
• “(Fmr Tory minister) CLEMENT: Liberals must change course on sinking approach to shipbuilding”
• “F-35 Update: It’s Still a Mess” (Best Fighter for Canada blog)
• Wanted:  “RFSO Deployed Logistics Services … To provide deployed logistics support services to HALIFAX, KINGSTON, VICTORIA, ORCA and miscellaneous classes of naval vessels assigned to Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) when deployed …”
• “Government of Canada invests in aerospace sector … the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced an investment of $49.5 million in an aerospace consortium led by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd. Minister Bains made the announcement during Aéro-Montréal’s Aerospace Innovation Forum …” (GoC info-machine)
• “Adopt a Vet founder to be honoured by Governor General”
• “NATO Flying Training in Canada Program makes history — NATO Flying Training in Canada Program graduates its largest-ever class …” (RCAF info-machine)
• #SkripalPoisoning
• “Is Canada prepared for a chemical weapon attack like the one in the U.K.?”
• G7 statement:  “We, the G7 foreign ministers, of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, are united in condemning, in the strongest possible terms, the attack that took place against Sergei and Yulia Skripal, using a nerve agent in Salisbury, United Kingdom, on March 4, 2018 …”
• “G7 ministers have no grounds to accuse Russia of involvement in Skripal case — diplomat”
• “Swiss laboratory denies Lavrov’s claims that Skripal’s poison was developed by NATO”
• Toronto Recruiting Centre Stabbing
• “Man charged in Toronto military centre stabbing acted as ‘terrorist group of one’: Crown”
• “Mentally ill man still a terrorist, Crown argues”
• “Accused in Toronto military centre stabbing was ‘terrorist group of one,’ Crown argues”
• QC Mosque Shooting
• “Alexandre Bissonnette ‘regrets’ not shooting more people in Quebec mosque attack”
• “Here Are the Far-Right Conspiracists the Quebec City Mosque Shooter Followed”
• Going back a bit …
  
• “Ottawa ditches mediation talks in $27M Abdelrazik lawsuit” – “CSIS worked to thwart diplomatic efforts to secure Abdelrazik’s release, documents suggest”
• “Canada sending home families of diplomats in Cuba after cases of ‘new type’ of brain injury” – “Are Purported ‘Sonic Attacks’ at Embassies in Havana an Elaborate Intelligence Operation?”
• “And still darker: CSE stops reporting budget breakdown” (Lux Ex Umbra blog)
• “Canadian professor chosen to write history of UK eavesdropping agency” – John Ferris (University of Calgary)
• “Troops will be needed to get Trans Mountain built, says former Alberta energy minister — Former energy minister says threat of ‘eco-terrorists’ will require Trudeau to call in the troops …”
• G7 on Syria Strikes  “We, the G7 Leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the European Union, are united in condemning, in the strongest possible terms, the use of chemical weapons in the April 7 attack in Eastern Ghouta, Syria …”
• “Joint US – UK statement on malicious cyber activity carried out by Russian government — The NCSC, FBI and DHS have issued a joint Technical Alert about malicious cyber activity carried out by the Russian Government …” (UK Nat’l Cyber Security Ctr) – “Advisory: Russian state-sponsored cyber actors targeting network infrastructure devices” (UK NCSC) – “Russia Dismisses Rare US-British Warning on Hackers”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 16 April 2018

• Big Honkin’ Ships update
• “New Canadian warship project off to rocky start as bidders fail to meet some requirements”
• Colonel Ted’s take:  “On the rocks? … I am reasonably confident that at least two of the bidders will become complaint so that we will not end up in a “sole Source” procurement scenario … but I am far less confident that there will be enough money to build all 15 ships.”
• Wanted:  “Deployed Logistics … To provide deployed logistics support services to HALIFAX, KINGSTON, VICTORIA, HARRY DeWOLF, MV ASTERIX, QUEENSTON and miscellaneous classes of naval vessels assigned to Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) and Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) when deployed …”
• Latest on #SYR
• “Mix of worry, optimism as Syrian Canadians react to US-led airstrikes”
• “Syria Strikes: Satellite Photos Show Aftermath At Chemical Weapons Site”
• “Russia Deploys New Jamming System in Syria”
• “The US Almost Fought A Nuclear War With Russia And Syria 45 Years Ago”
• “Senseless and Futile Strike Against Syria Achieves Nothing” (RUS-based think tank)
• “British Propaganda and Disinformation: An Imperial and Colonial Tradition” (RUS-based think tank)
• “Anatomy of a Russian Chemical Weapons Lab Lie” (bellingcat)
• For more of the latest — SYR news via Google News – SYR news via Bing News – SYR news via Yahoo News – SYR news via European Commission news aggregator
• “How an Ottawa man tracks the world’s military and spy ships — from his home office” – “Vessel of Interest | наблюдаемое судно” – @steffanwatkins (Twitter)
• “Tackling the war on drug trafficking” (RCN info-machine)
• “RCN promotes gender inclusiveness in West Africa” (RCN info-machine)
• MILNEWS.ca, 28 Mar:  “MGen Rouleau, Commander #CANSOFCOM, attends the opening ceremony of the Caribbean Special Tactics Training Centre in Jamaica funded by Global Affairs …”
• MILNEWS.ca, 29 Mar:  “The Caribbean Special Tactics Centre (CSTC) was officially opened at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Moneague Training Camp in St Ann this week …”
• Ottawa Citizen, 16 Apr:  “New centre will host Caribbean special forces units, says Canadian general”
• “Veteran tried not to ‘fall through the cracks’ but still killed partner, himself”
• And in #MLI …
• “UN chief, Security Council condemn deadly attack on peacekeepers in Mali”
• “French army describes ‘underhanded’ extremist attack in Mali”
• “The 5th Chinese peacekeeping engineer detachment to Mali obtained an excellent mark in the peacekeeping capability assessment conducted by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) on Apr. 12 …” (CHN mil media)
• Mo’ news from Mali via Google News & EU NewsBrief, with backstory from the International Crisis Group
• In #UKR …
• “Ukraine’s Interior Minister discloses his plan on Donbas reintegration” – “Peacekeeping mission can become one of effective mechanisms for Donbas reintegration”
• “DPR pays 1.3 million rubles (~CDN $26,000) to large families and veterans living in the Kiev-controlled territory”
• … and in/around #CHN
• “Live-fire drills to check ‘Taiwan independence’ “ (CHN mil media)
• “The news that the People’s Liberation Army will conduct live-fire military exercises in the Taiwan Straits on April 18 has shocked Taiwan. It is a clear warning against recent pro-independence activities on the island, especially head of Taiwan’s administrative authority Lai Ching-te’s advocacy for independence …” (CHN Communist Pty media)

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 15 April 2018

• First, #SYR
• “Canada notified in advance but not asked to help with Syria airstrikes: Trudeau”
• “Trudeau states support for U.S.-led strikes in Syria” – “Canada backs Syria strikes but others at Americas summit concerned” – “Trudeau supports U.S.-led military airstrikes against Assad after alleged Syrian chemical attack” – “Statement by the Prime Minister on airstrikes in Syria”
• “U.S. VP Pence thanks Canada for backing Syria strikes, optimistic on NAFTA”
• “European leaders, Canada back Syria airstrikes but warn against escalation” – “European leaders, Canada back the airstrikes against Syria”
• “Ally Rules Because Alliances Rule” (Saideman’s Semi-Spew blog)
• “Crossing the Thin Line in the Sand – Strikes in Syria assessment” (Thin Pinstriped Line blog)
• “Syria air strikes: US still ‘locked and loaded’ for new chemical attacks”
• Via US DOD’s info-machine:  “Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White and Joint Staff Director Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. in the Pentagon Briefing Room” – “Briefing by Secretary Mattis on U.S. Strikes in Syria”
• #FRA’s take:  “Full Text – French declassified intelligence report on Syria gas attacks” (Reuters, via matthewaid.com) – “National Assessment document on Chemical attack of 7 April 2018 (Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Syria) and Syria’s clandestine chemical weapons programme – 14.04.2018” (via FRA MFA) – “Syrie Évaluation nationale – Attaque chimique du 7 avril 2018 (Douma, Ghouta orientale, Syrie) Programme chimique syrien clandestin – 14.04.2018” (via FRA MFA, in French)
• “U.S. Airstrikes On Syria: The View From Russia”
• From RUS’s MFA  “Statement by the Foreign Ministry — On April 14, the United States, together with Great Britain and France, committed an act of aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by launching a massive missile attack on its territory in gross violation of the UN Charter. Over one hundred air- and sea-launched cruise missiles were fired on a number of targets in Syria. The facilities attacked include a research centre in the Syrian capital, the headquarters of the Republican Guard, an air defence base, several military airfields and army storage facilities. Considerable damage has been done to civilian infrastructure …”
• NATO’s take:  “Statement by the North Atlantic Council on Actions taken against the use of chemical weapons in Syria” (NATO info-machine)
• “Security Council rejects Russian request to condemn airstrikes in Syria” (UN info-machine)
• Like China’s dealing with Tibet???  “China urges relevant parties on Syria to resolve issue through dialogue” (CHN mil media)
• “The Douma Chemical Attack – Fake News about Fake News on Russia’s Fake News” (bellingcat.com)
• For more of the latest — SYR news via Google News – SYR news via Bing News – SYR news via Yahoo News – SYR news via European Commission news aggregator
• Over to #MLI
• “Canada rejects UN request to hasten Mali deployment” – “UN wants Canada to send helicopters to Mali sooner”
• “Militants in UN disguise explode car bombs, rockets at Mali bases” – “French soldiers, UN peacekeepers attacked in Mali” – “Militants in U.N. disguise explode car bombs, rockets at Mali bases” – “Attaque «sans précédent» contre les Casques bleus et les forces françaises à Tombouctou”
• “Parliament’s secret briefing from CSIS: beware of Russian spies”
• QC Mosque Shooting Trial
  
• “Quebec mosque shooter told police he was motivated by Canada’s immigration policies” – ” ‘Anti-Muslim rhetoric’ in media spurred Alexandre Bissonnette to kill, Quebec mosque president says” – “Quebec Mosque Shooter Alexandre Bissonnette Said He Wanted To Protect Family From Terrorists” – “Quebec City mosque killer Alexandre Bissonnette says Justin Trudeau welcoming refugees was ‘last straw’ “ – More via Google News
• Some investment advice:  “U.S. and Canada Hike Military Spending: Buy These 3 Defence Stocks Now”
• #SkripalPoisonings:  How the Dis-Info-machine works
• #RUS’s take:  “Lavrov: Swiss lab says ‘BZ toxin’ used in Salisbury, not produced in Russia, was in US & UK service” (RUS media)
• The Swiss lab’s take (via Swiss media, in German):  “…a Swiss chemical weapons expert has no doubt that the British correctly identified the used warfare agent and that it was the poison Nowitschok developed in Russia …”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 10 April 2018

• Well done, Joint Task Force-Iraq  “Canadian soldiers in Iraq put their hockey sticks out for Humboldt Broncos”
• Really?  “Matthew Schrier was kidnapped by al-Qaida in Syria. He believes Canadians were involved”
• DefMin:  We’re already helping in #MLI
• “Canada already helping African-led counter-terror force in Mali: Sajjan” – “The European Union’s partnership with the G5 Sahel countries” (EU info-machine, 20 Feb 2018) – G5 Sahel page (in French) – @G5_Sahel_SP @ Twitter
• Deal coming on Winnipeg barracks complex
• “Deal on Kapyong Barracks to be announced Wednesday”
• “Agreement reached over Kapyong Barracks”
• “Feds, First Nations reach Kapyong deal”
• “Minister Sajjan to participate in event with Treaty One First Nations” (DND info-machine)
• Wanted:  someone to make big money (+$50M est) building new digs for Petawawa’s RCD’s  “… The Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) is an armoured reconnaissance regiment, located at Petawawa, Ontario. The RCD occupies over ten facilities at Garrison Petawawa, the majority of which are over 50 years old and in poor condition. The existing infrastructure is ill suited to support the requirements of the RCD and is spread over several buildings outside the main compound. The dispersion of the unit leads to a constant drain on time and resources. This project proposes to provide consolidated, purpose-built operational training and vehicle facilities to allow the RCD to effectively fulfill their role. The objective of the project is to construct a new facility with an approximate gross infrastructure requirement of 9,893 m2 and renovate approximately 1,837 m2 of existing infrastructure … The estimated construction budget for this project is in the order of magnitude of $52,000,000 …”
• “RCAF tracks Chinese space station — The Canadian Space Operations Centre, part of the RCAF, was part of the recent international effort to track a Chinese space station that re-entered Earth’s atmosphere recently …” (RCAF info-machine)
• Admiral Norman’s (First) Day in Court
• “Mark Norman says he’s ‘anxious to get to court’ in breach-of-trust case — Canada’s second-highest-ranking military commander broke his long silence Tuesday following his first court appearance on a single charge of breach of trust. Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, in full uniform, did not enter a plea in Ottawa … the opening day of an extraordinary case that will offer a new test of the RCMP’s sensitive investigations unit …”
• “Vice-Admiral Mark Norman makes first court appearance to face breach of trust charge”
  
• “Legal defence fund for Mark Norman edges toward $100000”
• “The Mark Norman affair: As the Vice-Admiral makes his first court appearance, your guide to the key players”
• “Le vice-amiral Norman en uniforme et arborant ses décorations à sa première comparution”
• Over in #SYR …
• “April 2018 Syria Chemical Weapons Attack” (ISW blog)
• “US Mulls ‘Coordinated’ Response to Syria Gas Attack”
• “Russia vetoes U.S. bid at the U.N. to form new Syria chemical weapons inquiry”
• “A global chemical weapons watchdog said Tuesday it will send a team to the Syrian town of Douma to investigate a suspected poison gas attack that killed dozens of people last weekend near Damascus …”
• “Terror-Bombing Syrian Airbase Follows False Flag CW Incident” (pro-RUS journal)
• “Here Is How Russia and America Could Go to War in Syria”
• … around #PRK …
• “Denuclearization to top agenda of Trump-Kim meeting, human rights could be discussed”
• “An Airborne Defense Against North Korean ICBMs?”
• … and China & the South China Sea
• “China’s second aircraft carrier to undergo sea trials on Navy Day (23 Apr): reports” (CHN mil media)
• “Reports: China installs jammers as it eyes South Pacific base”
• “Defense Spokesman: China has every right to deploy necessary military equipment on Nansha Islands” (CHN mil media)
• “Australia and New Zealand warn China against Vanuatu base”
• “Chinese Defense Ministry rejects Australian media report on building military base in Vanuatu” (CHN mil media)
• “China, Vanuatu deny military base plan”

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