Secret signals. The post What was the first hidden song? first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

Get ready for Ray Harryhausen monsters, Oliver Reed in a werewolf suit, some very unpleasant snakes and much more this month.

by Lance D Johnson, Natural News: State officials have greenlit a voter initiative named “Calexit” to explore California’s potential independence from the U.S. Activists must collect 546,651 signatures by late July to secure a spot on the 2028 ballot. Previous secession attempts gained traction post-Donald Trump’s 2016 election but were later suspended. A proposed commission […]

by Paul Craig Roberts, Paul Craig Roberts: US Democrat Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was sentenced to eleven years in prison by federal district judge Sidney Stein for acting as an illegal agent for Egypt and accepting cash and gold bars as payment. How does this differ from the $1,417,811 […]

A New York-born 14-year-old girl was murdered by her Pakastani father and uncle in a so-called "Honor Killing," in reality a horrible brutality. Hira Anwar lived in New York with her parents - both Pakistani immigrants who had emigrated two decades ago. Although the New York Times reports she was...

Research by Dr. Bryan Ardis and Dr. Henry Ealy suggests that snake venom peptides, not the SARS-CoV-2 virus itself, may have caused severe COVID-19 symptoms, including hypoxia and immune suppression, by targeting nicotine receptors in the body. This connection was supported by studies, including one by the late researcher Bing Liu. Nicotine, often vilified, may counteract the effects of venom proteins by activating the same receptors that venom peptides disable. This could explain why smokers and asthmatics, who use nicotine or compounds like EDTA, experienced lower rates of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Governments worldwide are restricting access to nicotine products, such as through prescription mandates or heavy taxation, which Ardis and Ealy argue is part of a coordinated effort to suppress a natural remedy that could undermine their agenda. The researchers raise concerns about the deliberate introduction of venom proteins into the population, possibly through vaccines or environmental exposure, and highlight patents detailing the use of venom peptides in medical and agricultural applications. Ardis and Ealy advocate for natural solutions like nicotine, EDTA and other remedies to counteract the effects of COVID-19 and vaccines, emphasizing the need for individuals to take control of their health and challenge the pharmaceutical-dominated medical system. Article by Kevin Hughes, republished with permission from Naturalnews.com Drs. Bryan Ardis and Henry Ealy have uncovered a hidden link between snake venom, nicotine and the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) – a shocking revelation that could rewrite the COVID-19 pandemic’s narrative. Their groundbreaking research, which they shared with the Health Ranger Mike Adams on the “Health Ranger Report,” suggests that venom peptides may have been the true cause of the devastating symptoms observed in COVID-19 patients and not the virus itself. Even more astonishing, they reveal that nicotine – a molecule long demonized by public health authorities – could hold the key to neutralizing these venomous effects. This startling discovery raises urgent questions about the origins of the pandemic, the suppression of natural remedies and the global push to ban nicotine. Are people witnessing a coordinated effort to conceal the deadliest medical deception in history? Ardis, a prominent researcher and advocate for natural medicine, points to a pivotal study by Bing Liu, a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, who was tragically murdered in May 2020 – just before he was set to reveal his findings. Liu’s research identified snake venom proteins as the critical factor distinguishing mild COVID-19 cases from severe and fatal ones. These proteins, known to bind to nicotine receptors in the body, suppress breathing and lower oxygen levels, mirroring the hypoxia observed in COVID-19 patients. (Related: Dr. Bryan Ardis BLOWS THE WHISTLE on COVID-19 and CLOT SHOTS attacking the body like snake venom and he speaks on detoxification and prevention of damage.) “The only difference between mild cases of COVID, moderate to severe and those who died was the presence of high amounts of snake venom proteins in their bodies,” Ardis explained. This discovery, he added, had cost Liu his life. Further research supports this connection. In April 2020, French scientists found that the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 were structurally identical to cobra and krait venom proteins. These venom peptides target the same nicotine receptors in the body, effectively shutting down critical functions like breathing and immune response. Nicotine: The unexpected antidote While nicotine has been vilified for decades, Ardis and Ealy argue that it may be one of the most effective antidotes to venom-induced damage. Nicotine activates the same receptors that venom proteins seek to disable, potentially reversing the effects of these toxins. “Every cell in the human body has nicotine receptors,” Ardis noted while adding that these receptors are essential for immune function and the activation of T-cells, B-cells and macrophages. The certified acupuncturist and nutritionist stated that nicotine isn’t the villain, and it is a vital molecule that the human body is designed to use. This revelation explains why smokers and asthmatics – groups traditionally considered high-risk – were largely spared from severe COVID-19 outcomes. Asthma inhalers contain EDTA, a compound that destroys snake venom proteins, while nicotine’s interaction with venom-targeted receptors may have provided a protective effect. The implications of this research are staggering. If snake venom proteins were deliberately introduced into the population, whether through vaccines, environmental exposure, or other means, it would represent an unprecedented act of bioterrorism. Ardis pointed to patents held by the University of Utah and other institutions that detail the use of venom peptides in medical and agricultural applications, raising questions about their potential misuse. Meanwhile, governments worldwide are moving to restrict access to nicotine. Australia recently mandated that nicotine products be available only by prescription, while the U.S. has proposed a 98 percent tax on nicotine-containing items. These actions, Ardis argued, are part of a coordinated effort to suppress a powerful, natural remedy. Ealy commented that the health and government authorities are attacking nicotine because it works by breaking through the nanotechnology and undermines their agenda. The founder of the Energetic Health Institute stressed that people must be taught how to defuse the ‘time bombs’ created by the COVID vaccines in their bodies whether it is through nicotine, EDTA or other natural remedies. Watch the full interview between Dr. Bryan Ardis, Dr. Henry Ealy and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: VENOM FACTORIES: World Economic Forum celebrates new technology to SYNTHESIZE snake venom peptides using RNA advances for rapid venom “drug” development and deployment. Nicotine – A missing piece of the therapeutic puzzle concerning the bioweapons of the jab and COVID-19. Researchers find dozens of venom peptides in blood plasma and fecal samples from COVID-19 patients, CONFIRMING link between toxins and covid. Sources include: Brighteon.com UTimes.Pitt.edu HealingForTheAGES.com 1 HealingForTheAGES.com 2 RELATED REPORT: REVEALED: One Simple Hack to Detox from the COVID Vaccine REVEALED: One Simple Hack to Detox from the COVID Vaccine 270,000,000 Americans received the COVID-19 shot, with disastrous results. Beyond the millions who reported severe adverse reactions to the shot to the CDC, tens of millions more have reported prolonged negative symptoms that they just can’t seem to shake off: Brain fog Loss of appetite Anxiety & depression Constant tiredness Joint pain Reproductive problems Digestive issues Sadly, millions of Americans are living with post-vaccine symptoms and accepting them as a new reality. It doesn’t have to be this way. While government health agencies refuse to acknowledge the issue of vaccine damage to the body, freedom-fighting doctors are stepping up to restore health and save lives. Don’t normalize sickness. Dr. Peter McCullough, cardiologist and America’s leading COVID-19 expert, treats hundreds of patients in his clinic with a wide range post-vaccine symptoms. Like millions of others, these patients refuse to “normalize” their symptoms and will stop at nothing to get their health back. Says Dr. McCullough: “Far and away the most common question I get from those who took one of the COVID-19 vaccines is: ‘how do I get this out of my body?’... At three and one half years into the pandemic and two and a half years into the COVID-19 vaccine debacle, myself and my clinic partners formulated a baseline regimen upon which additional drugs or agents can be added." A simple solution. Dr. McCullough continues, “We searched the literature for all available sources of evidence for products that can aid the human body in breaking down and catabolizing the Spike protein. We found nattokinase, which additionally has fibrinolytic properties which are advantageous in the prothrombotic milieu induced by the persistent Spike protein...  Out of all the available therapies I have used in my practice and among all the proposed detoxification agents, I believe nattokinase and related peptides hold the greatest promise for patients at this time.”  This groundbreaking discovery catalyzed Dr. McCullough to design The Wellness Company’s Spike Support Formula containing nattokinase. To-date, tens of thousands of people have tried Spike Support and the results have been nothing short of miraculous: Feeling so much better! I decided to try Spike Support after talking with a friend that recommended this product. I had 2 Covid shots because my husband has degenerative heart condition and our doctor said to get the shots. He had no side effects but I ended up with an erratic racing heart beat and had problem with ringing ears, tasting and smelling, even though I never had Covid. I have taken this product for 2 months now and noticed a difference in lots of things. No more racing heart beat, I’m smelling and tasting things better and my anxiety has subsided. - Audrey H.  Worked for me: I have taken three of the mRNA vaxxes - I'll never take another one again. The skin on my hands peeled after the 3rd vax, especially around my nails, to the point where I had deep, bleeding, incredibly painful fissures and cracks... I am sure the vax is what caused my skin problems as well - I'd never had this before being vaxxed. Bought the Spike Support as a desperate measure. Noticed about three weeks after I started taking Spike Support, the peeling, cracks and fissures around my fingertips, and under and around my nails have not only stopped but healed up. My hands are 95% better now. I am sure the Spike Support is what stopped it. - Barbara B.  Spike protein recovery: This product has tremendously help me on recovering my heath and I highly recommend this product anyone that has long Covid or in the vaccine. - Estela M. If you or someone you love needs nattokinase, The Wellness Company’s “Spike Support Formula” contains nattokinase plus other extracts known to help the body detox from spike protein exposure – both from the vaccine and from COVID19. In The Wellness Company’s Spike Support Formula you will find: Nattokinase (dissolves spike protein) Selenium (aids in helping the body repair itself and recover) Dandelion root (acts as a detoxifying agent supporting better liver function) Black sativa extract (may facilitate cellular repair) Green tea extract (provides added defenses at the cellular level through scavenging for free radicals) Irish sea moss (could help rebuild damaged tissue and muscle) On The Wellness Company’s website, you will see that purchasing all the individual components of the Spike Support Formula would be over $100. You save 36% with the unique formulation of The Wellness Company’s Spike Support Formula. Click here to order the Spike Support Formula today.   (Note: Thank you for supporting businesses like our trusted partners in this article and ordering through the links in this article, which benefits WLTReport. We appreciate your support and the opportunity to help you stay HEALTHY!) RELATED: ? We Were RIGHT About Ivermectin From Day One! PAGING DOCTOR FLIP-FLOP! DOCTOR FLIP-FLOP, PLEASE REPORT TO THE OPERATING ROOM! In a 180 degree flip-flop a politician would be jealous of, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now admits doctors can prescribe Ivermectin to treat COVID-19. Yes, really. During the COVID-19 plandemic, the FDA did everything possible to prevent doctors from prescribing the antiviral to treat COVID-19. The corrupt agency compared people seeking ivermectin to horses. The federal government, mainstream media, Big Tech, and pharmacies created numerous barriers to prevent COVID-19 patients from obtaining ivermectin for treatment. After millions of Americans lined up to take the experimental COVID-19 shots, the FDA changed course to say doctors can prescribe ivermectin for COVID-19. Straight from the horse’s mouth. Now time for @US_FDA to issue a statement so my patients can get their prescriptions filled at @cvspharmacy and @Walgreens.https://t.co/r5khovfAfe — Mary Talley Bowden MD (@MdBreathe) August 11, 2023 According to The Epoch Times, the "'FDA explicitly recognizes that doctors do have the authority to prescribe ivermectin to treat COVID,' Ashley Cheung Honold, a Department of Justice lawyer representing the FDA, said during oral arguments on Aug. 8 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit." "FDA explicitly recognizes that doctors do have the authority to prescribe ivermectin to treat COVID." Doctors are free to prescribe #Ivermectin to treat #COVID19, a lawyer representing the #FDA said this week. https://t.co/2IaViQTfjX — The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) August 10, 2023 From The Epoch Times: The government is defending the FDA's repeated exhortations to people to not take ivermectin for COVID-19, including a post that said "Stop it." The case was brought by three doctors who allege the FDA unlawfully interfered with their practice of medicine with the statements. A federal judge dismissed the case in 2022, prompting an appeal. "The fundamental issue in this case is straightforward. After the FDA approves the human drug for sale, does it then have the authority to interfere with how that drug is used within the doctor-patient relationship? The answer is no," Jared Kelson, representing the doctors, told the appeals court. The FDA explicitly stated that ivermectin "isn’t authorized or approved to treat COVID-19." However, the agency attempted to excuse its corruption. "FDA made these statements in response to multiple reports of consumers being hospitalized, after self medicating with ivermectin intended for horses, which is available for purchase over the counter without the need for prescription," Honold said. In an interview with Maria Bartiromo, Senator Ron Johnson described the destruction caused by the actions of the FDA. "The doctors I've been dealing with and talking to for yours now, they believe that probably hundreds of thousands of Americans lost their lives because they were denied early treatment," Johnson said. "And they were denied it because the FDA sabotaged, for example, ivermectin. And they said, come on, you all, you're not a cow, you're not a horse. You know, this is supposedly horse medicine. No, this was a Nobel Prize-winning medicine that could have saved hundreds of thousands of lives." WATCH: The FDA has now endorsed treating COVID with Ivermectin! The FDA has blood on its hands. How many Americans senselessly died because Big Medicine called this cheap, readily available Nobel Prize winning medicine horse paste? Thank you Ron Johnson your leadership and bravery. pic.twitter.com/m0d6EonC5Q — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) August 11, 2023 Read more from the court exchange from The Epoch Times: Ms. Honold said that the FDA didn't purport to require anyone to do anything or to prohibit anyone from doing anything. "What about when it said, 'No, stop it'?" Circuit Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod, on the panel that is hearing the appeal, asked. "Why isn't that a command? If you were in English class, they would say that was a command." Ms. Honold described the statements as "merely quips." "Can you answer the question, please? Is that a command, 'Stop it'?" Judge Elrod asked. "In some contexts, those words could be construed as a command," Ms. Honold said. "But in this context, where FDA was simply using these words in the context of a quippy tweet meant to share its informational article, those statements do not rise to the level of a command." The statements "don't prohibit doctors from prescribing ivermectin to treat COVID or for any other purpose" Ms. Honold said. She noted that the FDA, along with the statements, said that people should consult their health care providers about COVID-19 treatments and that they could take medicine if it was prescribed by the provider. "FDA is clearly acknowledging that doctors have the authority to prescribe human ivermectin to treat COVID. So they are not interfering with the authority of doctors to prescribe drugs or to practice medicine," she said. We actually told you all of this YEARS ago! Our reporting has been spot on from Day 1, nice to see the FDA catching up to us, but very sad it took so long. Here is one of our prior reports: CONFIRMED: The True Story of Ivermectin Now Coming Out! I continue to bring you the REAL news about Ivermectin.... Real, unfiltered news with no bias. Just the facts, ma'am! Like this one for example: Two Separate Doctors Claim OVER 100 Members of Congress Treated With Ivermectin! Anyone else mad yet? But here's the deal... Now the FDA is backtracking big time, trying to claim they never said you couldn't take Ivermectin. Yes, really...hard to even believe! But it's true, look at this: The scumbags are backtracking. They knew all along Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine prevented covid. But the drug dealers would not making hundreds of billions on these functional drugs. So they poisoned billions of people with the mRNA test drug. Crimes against humanity. https://t.co/nia76r41lW — Phenix Evely, PhD (@evely_phenix) November 22, 2022 And this: I'm not making accusations. This will all come out in the wash eventually. The FDA in the US is already backtracking by claiming that when they said don't use ivermectin it was only a "suggestion." — ConnectALLtheDots ...... (@thedotconnectr) December 12, 2022 They knew all along: https://twitter.com/wolsned/status/1603157314147868672 In fact, some studies are now showing it MIGHT be highly effective at destroying cancer: The horse dewormer strikes again. https://t.co/6qofYPNGHV — Dr. Urso (@richardursomd) December 15, 2022 Catturd right again: Remember when they said Ivermectin was only horse paste - and the low IQ, anti-science, useful idiots clapped like trained government seals. — Catturd (@catturd2) December 14, 2022 A wave of truth is coming out: The FDA’s website states, “Currently available data do not show ivermectin is effective against #COVID19.” But half of the studies to which the FDA points support using #ivermectine against #COVID_19, an @EpochTimes review (by @ZackStieber) has foundhttps://t.co/9DImZ7kvah — Jan Jekielek (@JanJekielek) December 11, 2022 Here is Dr. Peter McCullough: #BREAKING: Dr. Peter McCullough says the FDA acted criminally and should be sued for misleading the public by spreading misinformation on Ivermectin's ability to treat Covid-19 - causing unnecessary death. pic.twitter.com/Bg3ZS756tc — govt.exe is corrupt (@govt_corrupt) December 16, 2022 Just remember we told you the TRUTH all along... They didn't want you to see this but we showed you from Day 1! Watch it here on Rumble: Remember this disclaimer: I am not a doctor.  I am not giving you medical advice.  I’m a REPORTER.  I research and I report and I give you the full story open and honestly so YOU can decide. Now let's go to another video. This woman below documented her own journey with Ivermectin on video. She starts off looking not so good but makes a swift turnaround in just a few days. This is not me talking, listen to her share and document her own story.... Here is the video from Rumble: Now let's talk about the MSM disinformation campaign, which is a nice way of saying "outright lies and propaganda". Look, I will give you one disclaimer before we get started:  I am a journalist and not anyone with any medical expertise.  I'm not a doctor and I'm not giving medical advice.   I'm just presenting you with the results of my research that the MSM really seems to want to hide.... And I know how to do my research. So let's start with this: Now let's unpack all the lies the MSM has been telling you about Ivermectin. You would assume based on all the MSM propaganda that Ivermectin is only approved for Horses and not Humans. The only problem with that? It's not true. Not even close. Here's the real truth: Yes folks, that is a statement taken from PolitiFact's very own fact-checking page about Ivermectin. But what they do with their "Face Check" is so insidious.... Here's how PolitiFact tries to claim that the TRUE statement is still somehow false, watch these mental gymnastics: This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.) It is true that ivermectin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration that year — but not to treat the coronavirus. The drug was approved for strongyloidiasis, a disease caused by a roundworm, and onchocerciasis, or river blindness, which is caused by a parasitic worm. The drug was approved for humans under the brand name Stromectol, National Geographic reported, and since then it’s been recognized as a safe treatment for several tropical diseases caused by parasites. In 2015, two scientists even won a Nobel Prize for their discovery of ivermectin and its use to treat diseases caused by parasites. But unlike, say, river blindness, COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus, not by parasites. And as PolitiFact recently reported in a story exploring ivermectin, there’s no conclusive evidence that ivermectin is effective against COVID-19. The lying and the deception is just so evil, really makes me angry. If you gave me a full year, I couldn't come up with all the twists and turns these people take to turn the TRUTH into a lie. It's sickening. But we're just getting started. Next come the scare tactics and VERY misleading headlines. Like this article from WIVB Channel 4 News: After a recent resurgence in several states, health officials are warning residents to be aware of a dangerous of an unauthorized “treatment” for COVID-19 — often being taken with dangerous consequences. It’s called ivermectin and it’s used to treat and prevent parasites in animals, the Food and Drug Administration explains. The tablets are not FDA approved for treatment of COVID-19 in humans and isn’t even an anti-viral drug — meaning it has no impact on the coronavirus. And because the large-concentration tablets are intended for large animals, these can be treacherous for humans. In addition to not being authorized for treatment, there’s no evidence ivermectin treats COVID-19. “There’s a lot of misinformation around, and you may have heard that it’s okay to take large doses of ivermectin. That is wrong.” FDA The FDA and several state officials say they’ve seen an uptick in calamitous use of the drugs, particularly tablets used to treat parasitic worms in horses. While ivermectin is approved for humans to treat certain skin conditions (rosacea) and certain external parasites like head lice, the FDA warns this ivermectin is different than the one used in animals. On Friday, the Mississippi Department of Health was forced to send out a warning to residents about the dangers of the drug after several poisonings. The Mississippi Poison Control Center said at least 70% of recent ivermectin-related calls are tied to people taking livestock or animal formulations they bought a livestock supply stores or through online markets. Eighty-five percent of callers had mild symptoms — these include rash, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain — but one person needed evaluation because of how much they’d taken. More severe dangers of ivermectin ingestion include neurologic disorders, seizures, coma and death. Use of ivermectin should only be taken if prescribed by a doctor for an FDA-approved use. Regardless of the usage and prescription, the FDA warns ivermectin overdose is still possible. Possible interaction with other medications is also a possibility. I highlighted the key parts. A 70% SURGE in Ivermectin Poison Center calls sounds like a lot doesn't it? NPR even reports a 245% surge!  Oh my! Sounds bad until you realize according to NPR that the 245% surge is going from 133 calls to 459 calls....NATIONWIDE! According to the National Poison Data System (NPDS), which collects information from the nation's 55 poison control centers, there was a 245% jump in reported exposure cases from July to August — from 133 to 459. Yes folks, out of 333 MILLION people, there were 459 calls to poison centers. So 0.00000137% of the population. And those are just calls. According to the bold part of the Channel 4 article, 85% of those people who called or had symptoms had MILD symptoms like a rash. The horror! According to the article, only ONE person needed a further evaluation. But is this what you hear in the MSM? No. If you listed only to the MSM fear-porn, you'd think we had a crisis of Ivermectin deaths. The truth is the polar opposite. Anyone else REALLY tired of being lied to? It's why I'm here. I will continue to shout the truth from the rooftops!

WASHINGTON — U.S. warplanes took aim at the Islamic State affiliate in Somalia, hitting what officials described as high-ranking operatives in the terror group's mountainous stronghold.  U.S. President Donald Trump announced the precision strike Saturday on social media, describing the main target as a "Senior ISIS Attack Planner and other terrorists he recruited and led."  "These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies," Trump said. "The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians."  A separate statement from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes targeted an area in Somalia's Golis mountains, and "further degrades ISIS's ability to plot and conduct terrorist attacks threatening US citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians."  Neither Trump nor Hegseth named the IS planner, though U.S. officials said the strikes were carried out in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.    General Adan Abdi Hashi, commander of the Puntland Devish Forces said the airstrikes targeted at least 10 locations of the Islamic State militants in the Cal-Miskaad area, which is part of the Golis mountains.    "The strikes targeted about 10 locations in the Cal-Miskaad areas, most of them caves, and we believe that many of the militants were killed," said the general.   Residents in Qandala, a small town in Bari region of Puntland told VOA on the condition of anonymity because they feared for their lives, that they could see from the distance plumes of smoke and flames, and that they could hear at least seven huge explosions. Officials from Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region thanked the U.S. on social media, calling the operation a success.  "The latest airstrike, carried out today, resulted in the elimination of several high-ranking #ISIS members," according to the statement.  U.S. Africa Command, which oversees U.S, military efforts on the continent, said it, too, assessed multiple terror operatives had been killed.  The Islamic State, also known as IS or Daesh, has increasingly played a key role in the terror group's operations in Africa and beyond.  Since 2022, Somalia has been home to al-Karrar, one of nine regional Islamic State offices established to help sustain the terror group's capabilities. As a result, IS-Somalia has become both a key cog in the IS financial network, funneling money to affiliates in Afghanistan and elsewhere in Africa.  IS-Somalia has, at the same time, become more influential under the leadership of Abdulkadir Mumin, a former militant with the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, who is thought to now head IS' directorate of provinces, overseeing the terror group's affiliates in Africa.  Some U.S. officials worry Mumin has risen even higher, perhaps acting as the Islamic State's top emir. Others disagree but there is consensus that Mumin is nonetheless a pivotal figure.  The U.S. previously targeted Mumin in May of last year.   Recent intelligence assessments have further warned IS-Somalia has more than doubled in size over the past year and may now boast up to as many as 1,600 fighters, bolstered by an influx of fighters from Ethiopia, Morocco, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania and Yemen.  Most of IS-Somalia's manpower has been concentrated in Puntland, especially in the Golis Mountains, also known as the Cal-Miskaad mountains.  Saturday's airstrike, the first against IS in Somalia so far this year, was carried out by fighter jets launched from the USS Harry S. Truman, currently in the Red Sea, according to defense officials who spoke to VOA on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss details of the operation.  It comes as Somali forces in Puntland continue a military offensive against ISIS militants hiding in Cal-Miskaad mountains. Puntland also thanked the United Arab Emirates which they say provided air support to the ongoing offensive.     The operations, which started in late December 31, drove militants from vast areas in the northeastern highlands of Somalia.  The militants, many of them foreigners, have claimed carrying out IED attacks against Puntland forces.   The fiercest clashes occurred late last week when the regional forces dislodged the militants from Turmasaale, a strategic location about 150 kilometers southeast of Bosaso.  The Somali government called Saturday's airstrikes by the U.S. "a critical step in our shared fight against terrorism."  "The Federal Government of Somalia welcomes the firm and decisive counterterrorism efforts led by the United States," it said in a statement. "Together, we will continue to dismantle extremist networks ... and build a future free from the scourge of terrorism." 

Arab countries rejected President Donald Trump’s plan to resettle Palestinians from war-torn Gaza to Egypt and Jordan on Saturday.