nivek
As Above So Below
Revealed: American diplomats' brains SHRUNK after being exposed to 'sonic attack' in the US Embassy in Cuba
US diplomats who were victims of a suspected 'sonic attack' in Cuba really did suffer brain damage, according to new research. Speculation surrounding the cause of their mysterious headaches, nausea and loss of hearing have ranged from a weapon releasing microwaves to the sound of mating insects.
But researchers at Penn State University say they have detected signs of brain changes that suggest something sinister was at play.
Analyzing the brain scans of 40 diplomats, the team identified differences in the grey matter compared to healthy individuals. It was found that the diplomats' brains had shrunk. In particular, an area known as the cerebellum was affected, which is responsible for performing voluntary tasks such as walking and writing.
According to the team, the patterns do not resemble X-ray investigations of any other condition, like concussion and traumatic brain injury.
'The cerebellar findings in this neuroimaging study are notable, given that a number of the patients evaluated exhibited abnormalities in balance and the coordinated movement of the eyes, both of which are associated with cerebellar dysfunction in the brain,' said study co-author Dr Randel Swanson, an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Penn.
Neurosurgeon Dr Douglas Smith, another of the co-authors, added: 'These findings may represent something not seen before.'
(more on the link)
.
US diplomats who were victims of a suspected 'sonic attack' in Cuba really did suffer brain damage, according to new research. Speculation surrounding the cause of their mysterious headaches, nausea and loss of hearing have ranged from a weapon releasing microwaves to the sound of mating insects.
But researchers at Penn State University say they have detected signs of brain changes that suggest something sinister was at play.
Analyzing the brain scans of 40 diplomats, the team identified differences in the grey matter compared to healthy individuals. It was found that the diplomats' brains had shrunk. In particular, an area known as the cerebellum was affected, which is responsible for performing voluntary tasks such as walking and writing.
According to the team, the patterns do not resemble X-ray investigations of any other condition, like concussion and traumatic brain injury.
'The cerebellar findings in this neuroimaging study are notable, given that a number of the patients evaluated exhibited abnormalities in balance and the coordinated movement of the eyes, both of which are associated with cerebellar dysfunction in the brain,' said study co-author Dr Randel Swanson, an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Penn.
Neurosurgeon Dr Douglas Smith, another of the co-authors, added: 'These findings may represent something not seen before.'
(more on the link)
.
pigfarmer
tall, thin, irritable
I suspect Capitol Hill has been subject to these attacks also.
pigfarmer
tall, thin, irritable
An opinion piece but interesting
China 'Sonic Attacks' Might Really Be Side Effects of Surveillance
Are China and Cuba's "sonic attacks" really surveillance side effects? | Opinion
China 'Sonic Attacks' Might Really Be Side Effects of Surveillance
Are China and Cuba's "sonic attacks" really surveillance side effects? | Opinion
nivek
As Above So Below
High alert: At least two mysterious directed-energy attacks on American soil panic US officials
The White House is on high alert after US officials after people suddenly fall ill during at least 2 mysterious directed-energy attacks on American soil, including one close to the White House.
After Cuba, now the White House! Federal agencies are investigating at least two possible incidents on US soil, including one near the White House in November of last year, that appear similar to mysterious, invisible attacks that have led to debilitating symptoms for dozens of US personnel abroad.
Multiple sources familiar with the matter explained that while the Pentagon and other agencies probing the matter have reached no clear conclusions on what happened, the fact that such an attack might have taken place so close to the White House is particularly alarming.
Defense officials briefed lawmakers on the Senate and House Armed Services Committees on the matter earlier this month, including on the incident near the White House. That incident, which occurred near the Ellipse, the large oval lawn on the south side of the White House, sickened one National Security Council official, according to multiple current and former US officials and sources familiar with the matter.
In a separate 2019 episode, a White House official reported a similar attack while walking her dog in a Virginia suburb just outside Washington, GQ reported last year.
Those sickened reported similar symptoms to CIA and State Department personnel impacted overseas, and officials quickly began to investigate the incident as a possible “Havana syndrome” attack. That name refers to unexplained symptoms that US personnel in Cuba began experiencing in late 2016 – a varying set of complaints that includes ear popping, vertigo, pounding headaches and nausea, sometimes accompanied by an unidentified “piercing directional noise.”
Rumors have long swirled around Washington about similar incidents within the United States.
While the recent episodes around Washington appear similar to the previous apparent attacks affecting diplomats, CIA officers and other US personnel serving in Cuba, Russia and China, investigators have not determined whether the puzzling incidents at home are connected to those that have occurred abroad or who may be behind them.
Defense officials who briefed lawmakers said it was possible Russia was behind the attacks, but they did not have enough information to say for sure. Another former US official involved in the investigation at the time said China was also among the suspects.
Mysterious attacks
The US has struggled to understand these attacks since 2016 and 2017, when diplomatic and intelligence personnel in Cuba first began reporting alarming symptoms that seemed to appear out of the blue. Intelligence and defense officials have been reluctant to speak publicly about the strange incidents, and some who were impacted have complained publicly that the CIA did not take the matter seriously enough, at least initially.
The attacks eventually led to a dramatic drawdown of staff at the outpost in Havana under the Trump administration. Personnel in Russia and China reported similar, unexplained incidents. Though there’s no consensus as to what causes the symptoms, one State Department-sponsored study found they likely were the result of microwave energy attacks.
(More on the link)
.
The White House is on high alert after US officials after people suddenly fall ill during at least 2 mysterious directed-energy attacks on American soil, including one close to the White House.
After Cuba, now the White House! Federal agencies are investigating at least two possible incidents on US soil, including one near the White House in November of last year, that appear similar to mysterious, invisible attacks that have led to debilitating symptoms for dozens of US personnel abroad.
Multiple sources familiar with the matter explained that while the Pentagon and other agencies probing the matter have reached no clear conclusions on what happened, the fact that such an attack might have taken place so close to the White House is particularly alarming.
Defense officials briefed lawmakers on the Senate and House Armed Services Committees on the matter earlier this month, including on the incident near the White House. That incident, which occurred near the Ellipse, the large oval lawn on the south side of the White House, sickened one National Security Council official, according to multiple current and former US officials and sources familiar with the matter.
In a separate 2019 episode, a White House official reported a similar attack while walking her dog in a Virginia suburb just outside Washington, GQ reported last year.
Those sickened reported similar symptoms to CIA and State Department personnel impacted overseas, and officials quickly began to investigate the incident as a possible “Havana syndrome” attack. That name refers to unexplained symptoms that US personnel in Cuba began experiencing in late 2016 – a varying set of complaints that includes ear popping, vertigo, pounding headaches and nausea, sometimes accompanied by an unidentified “piercing directional noise.”
Rumors have long swirled around Washington about similar incidents within the United States.
While the recent episodes around Washington appear similar to the previous apparent attacks affecting diplomats, CIA officers and other US personnel serving in Cuba, Russia and China, investigators have not determined whether the puzzling incidents at home are connected to those that have occurred abroad or who may be behind them.
Defense officials who briefed lawmakers said it was possible Russia was behind the attacks, but they did not have enough information to say for sure. Another former US official involved in the investigation at the time said China was also among the suspects.
Mysterious attacks
The US has struggled to understand these attacks since 2016 and 2017, when diplomatic and intelligence personnel in Cuba first began reporting alarming symptoms that seemed to appear out of the blue. Intelligence and defense officials have been reluctant to speak publicly about the strange incidents, and some who were impacted have complained publicly that the CIA did not take the matter seriously enough, at least initially.
The attacks eventually led to a dramatic drawdown of staff at the outpost in Havana under the Trump administration. Personnel in Russia and China reported similar, unexplained incidents. Though there’s no consensus as to what causes the symptoms, one State Department-sponsored study found they likely were the result of microwave energy attacks.
(More on the link)
.
Standingstones
Celestial
The shadow
The shadow knows!
nivek
As Above So Below
Mysterious attacks more common than realized
Directed energy attacks (or 'Havana Syndrome') are far more widespread than had been previously reported. The mysterious condition, which causes a range of symptoms such as fatigue, headaches and nausea, is named after a spate of such incidents which began in Havana, Cuba back in 2016.
At the time, it was believed that US diplomats were being targeted by some sort of directed energy weapon by unknown foreign agents with the goal of disrupting diplomatic ties with the country.
Now according to officials, the symptoms of these perplexing attacks have been experienced by as many as 130 individuals - making it far more widespread than anyone had realized.
The victims include spies, diplomats, soldiers and other US personnel both at home and abroad. Three CIA officers have been targeted since December 2020, with the most recent occurring just two weeks ago. In each case, the victim was required to undergo treatment to help them recover.
Another case - this time from 2019 - has also now come to light. It involved a military officer who was serving overseas when he was overwhelmed by nausea and headaches after stopping briefly at an intersection. His two-year-old son, who was in the back, had also started to cry.
After they pulled away, the symptoms immediately ceased.
Both the Trump and Biden administrations have ordered investigations into the phenomenon. Some Pentagon officials suspect Russia is to blame, however this remains unconfirmed.
"As of now, we have no definitive information about the cause of these incidents, and it is premature and irresponsible to speculate," said Amanda J. Schoch, the spokeswoman for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Directed energy attacks (or 'Havana Syndrome') are far more widespread than had been previously reported. The mysterious condition, which causes a range of symptoms such as fatigue, headaches and nausea, is named after a spate of such incidents which began in Havana, Cuba back in 2016.
At the time, it was believed that US diplomats were being targeted by some sort of directed energy weapon by unknown foreign agents with the goal of disrupting diplomatic ties with the country.
Now according to officials, the symptoms of these perplexing attacks have been experienced by as many as 130 individuals - making it far more widespread than anyone had realized.
The victims include spies, diplomats, soldiers and other US personnel both at home and abroad. Three CIA officers have been targeted since December 2020, with the most recent occurring just two weeks ago. In each case, the victim was required to undergo treatment to help them recover.
Another case - this time from 2019 - has also now come to light. It involved a military officer who was serving overseas when he was overwhelmed by nausea and headaches after stopping briefly at an intersection. His two-year-old son, who was in the back, had also started to cry.
After they pulled away, the symptoms immediately ceased.
Both the Trump and Biden administrations have ordered investigations into the phenomenon. Some Pentagon officials suspect Russia is to blame, however this remains unconfirmed.
"As of now, we have no definitive information about the cause of these incidents, and it is premature and irresponsible to speculate," said Amanda J. Schoch, the spokeswoman for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
nivek
As Above So Below
Has China created a sonic supergun? US officials hit by a mystery sickness after two embassies suffered almost identical attacks, and 130 spies and diplomats targeted around the world. Now experts believe there could be a terrifying explanation
The attacks have long been as puzzling as they are disturbing - strange, high-pitched sounds that victims have sometimes described as a loud ringing or scraping and, at other times, as electronic or even like the chirping of a particularly insistent cricket. They can be ear-splittingly loud or barely audible, just as the symptoms have been in some cases minor and in others, devastating. But there is rather more clarity over who is being targeted - U.S. government spies, diplomats and their families. More than 130 of them across the world have succumbed to what has been dubbed 'Havana Syndrome', after the place where it began five years ago. About 100 CIA
.
The attacks have long been as puzzling as they are disturbing - strange, high-pitched sounds that victims have sometimes described as a loud ringing or scraping and, at other times, as electronic or even like the chirping of a particularly insistent cricket. They can be ear-splittingly loud or barely audible, just as the symptoms have been in some cases minor and in others, devastating. But there is rather more clarity over who is being targeted - U.S. government spies, diplomats and their families. More than 130 of them across the world have succumbed to what has been dubbed 'Havana Syndrome', after the place where it began five years ago. About 100 CIA
.
Dejan Corovic
As above, so bellow
Has China created a sonic supergun? US officials hit by a mystery sickness after two embassies suffered almost identical attacks, and 130 spies and diplomats targeted around the world. Now experts believe there could be a terrifying explanation
The attacks have long been as puzzling as they are disturbing - strange, high-pitched sounds that victims have sometimes described as a loud ringing or scraping and, at other times, as electronic or even like the chirping of a particularly insistent cricket. They can be ear-splittingly loud or barely audible, just as the symptoms have been in some cases minor and in others, devastating. But there is rather more clarity over who is being targeted - U.S. government spies, diplomats and their families. More than 130 of them across the world have succumbed to what has been dubbed 'Havana Syndrome', after the place where it began five years ago. About 100 CIA
.
You mean like this:
The Long Range Acoustic Device: pirate deterrent, crowd controller or soft drink seller?
By today's standards that's quite a low tech device and anybody can make it. Only issue is how to hide it in plain sight, because politicians are surrounded by 24/7 security teams.
Last edited:
nivek
As Above So Below
Another possible attack, is there an insider providing travel information to the attackers?...
CIA agent is struck down with Havana syndrome during trip to India WITH 'fuming' boss William Burns: Agency fears hit was 'a direct message' and aggressor had insider knowledge of director's schedule
.
CIA agent is struck down with Havana syndrome during trip to India WITH 'fuming' boss William Burns: Agency fears hit was 'a direct message' and aggressor had insider knowledge of director's schedule
.
nivek
As Above So Below
US diplomats struck by 'Havana syndrome' share agonizing symptoms of the condition which has left them BRAIN-DAMAGED and destroyed their careers; Tearfully refute claims illness doesn't exist
- The three described their debilitating symptoms in detail during an interview with NBC News this week
- The syndrome first surfaced at the embassy in Havana in 2016, months before Onefur, Husband, and Ferguson were diagnosed in 2017
- It has since afflicted more than 200 Americans around the world, mostly diplomats and spies
- Onefur sobbed as as she spoke and recalled the fact that she can now only work two hours a day from home after being diagnosed with the mysterious illness
- Husband was diagnosed with brain damage by doctors in 2017 after symptoms associated with the syndrome, and was forced to medically retire
- During her diagnosis, a doctor told Husband, after taking scans of her brain, 'it's like you aged 20, 25 years all at once'
nivek
As Above So Below
Mysterious Havana Syndrome Hits U.S. Diplomats in Geneva and Paris
“To date, we don’t know exactly what’s happened and we don’t know exactly who is responsible.”
Nearly six years after U.S. and Canadian embassy workers in Havana, Cuba, began suffering from what is now called the Havana syndrome — “unexplained health incidents” including hearing loss, memory loss, nausea, and feelings of pressure, vibrations and mysterious noises coming from one direction — current U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has no more to tell his employees than his predecessors did … but now he has to deal with the problem spreading to U.S. intelligence and military personnel and their families working in Paris and Geneva. Those cities are now added to the list of others beyond Havana — in China, South America, other parts of Europe and Washington D.C. – and the total of mostly CIA personnel affected is over 200.
“And as I said, we’ve got virtually the entire government working on this at the President’s instructions. We’re not there yet, but we will get there. We will figure this out. Meanwhile, we have to do what we can to protect people and, as I said, care for them.”
In an interview with MSNBC, Secretary Blinken sounds frustrated that people working for him are exposed to a new and spreading wave of mysterious afflictions that are suspected to have caused brain damage in some. While pesticides, mass hysteria and other causes have generally been ruled out, microwave beams continues to be the prime suspect. But where are they coming from and who is ordering them?
“We’ve raised this with the Russians, but we still don’t have a determination of who may – of who is responsible. So we’ve made clear that if they are responsible, or for that matter, anyone who is responsible will suffer severe consequences. But I don’t – I want to be very clear we don’t yet have a determination.”
Is it more than a coincidence that these new incidents occurred just as tensions are escalating between Russia, the U.S. and European nations over Ukraine? Is it a coincidence or intentional that three of the four U.S. embassy workers were sickened in Geneva – the city most associated with world peace talks?
As we approach six years of the Havana Syndrome with no resolution in sight, it’s puzzling that the U.S. government continues to be disorganized and even indifferent towards the affliction and the afflicted. While the CIA has always been involved – not a surprise since over half of the victims work for the agency – Congress, the White House and even the media have a hard time dealing with it. If it is indeed caused by microwave weapons ordered by the Russian government, perhaps the tensions over Ukraine will finally bring it out into the open – a sad and potentially deadly way to resolve it. Nothing helps.
“Our determination is to do everything we can to get to the bottom of this, and meanwhile, to protect our folks and to care for them.” After six years, isn’t it time to do more? But what?
.
“To date, we don’t know exactly what’s happened and we don’t know exactly who is responsible.”
Nearly six years after U.S. and Canadian embassy workers in Havana, Cuba, began suffering from what is now called the Havana syndrome — “unexplained health incidents” including hearing loss, memory loss, nausea, and feelings of pressure, vibrations and mysterious noises coming from one direction — current U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has no more to tell his employees than his predecessors did … but now he has to deal with the problem spreading to U.S. intelligence and military personnel and their families working in Paris and Geneva. Those cities are now added to the list of others beyond Havana — in China, South America, other parts of Europe and Washington D.C. – and the total of mostly CIA personnel affected is over 200.
“And as I said, we’ve got virtually the entire government working on this at the President’s instructions. We’re not there yet, but we will get there. We will figure this out. Meanwhile, we have to do what we can to protect people and, as I said, care for them.”
In an interview with MSNBC, Secretary Blinken sounds frustrated that people working for him are exposed to a new and spreading wave of mysterious afflictions that are suspected to have caused brain damage in some. While pesticides, mass hysteria and other causes have generally been ruled out, microwave beams continues to be the prime suspect. But where are they coming from and who is ordering them?
“We’ve raised this with the Russians, but we still don’t have a determination of who may – of who is responsible. So we’ve made clear that if they are responsible, or for that matter, anyone who is responsible will suffer severe consequences. But I don’t – I want to be very clear we don’t yet have a determination.”
Is it more than a coincidence that these new incidents occurred just as tensions are escalating between Russia, the U.S. and European nations over Ukraine? Is it a coincidence or intentional that three of the four U.S. embassy workers were sickened in Geneva – the city most associated with world peace talks?
As we approach six years of the Havana Syndrome with no resolution in sight, it’s puzzling that the U.S. government continues to be disorganized and even indifferent towards the affliction and the afflicted. While the CIA has always been involved – not a surprise since over half of the victims work for the agency – Congress, the White House and even the media have a hard time dealing with it. If it is indeed caused by microwave weapons ordered by the Russian government, perhaps the tensions over Ukraine will finally bring it out into the open – a sad and potentially deadly way to resolve it. Nothing helps.
“Our determination is to do everything we can to get to the bottom of this, and meanwhile, to protect our folks and to care for them.” After six years, isn’t it time to do more? But what?
.
nivek
As Above So Below
Only plausible explanation for mysterious Havana Syndrome that has afflicted dozens of US diplomats around the world IS a weapon, CIA report finds
U.S Intelligence officials examining Havana Syndrome say the only plausible explanation for a small number of cases is a device or a weapon of some kind.
A US intelligence report by a panel of expert scientists pointed to pulsed electromagnetic energy and ultrasound as possible causes for the mysterious Havana Syndrome - an unexplained illness that has long been believed to be caused inadvertently by surveillance equipment or by a mysterious sonic weapon.
'Pulsed electromagnetic energy, particularly in the radiofrequency range, plausibly explains the core characteristics' the new report on the mysterious illness released on Wednesday said.
The report comes after a CIA task force said that the illness is not the product of a sustained global campaign by a hostile power aimed at hundreds of U.S. diplomats and spies last month.
U.S Intelligence officials examining Havana Syndrome say the only plausible explanation for a small number of cases is a device or a weapon of some kind.
A US intelligence report by a panel of expert scientists pointed to pulsed electromagnetic energy and ultrasound as possible causes for the mysterious Havana Syndrome - an unexplained illness that has long been believed to be caused inadvertently by surveillance equipment or by a mysterious sonic weapon.
'Pulsed electromagnetic energy, particularly in the radiofrequency range, plausibly explains the core characteristics' the new report on the mysterious illness released on Wednesday said.
The report comes after a CIA task force said that the illness is not the product of a sustained global campaign by a hostile power aimed at hundreds of U.S. diplomats and spies last month.
wwkirk
Divine
Well, I'm glad thy didn't go with the "mass hysteria" pseudo explanation.
nivek
As Above So Below
'Havana syndrome' was NOT caused by energy weapon of foreign enemies, intelligence report claims - but US officials still don't know what is behind the mysterious ailment
A new US intelligence assessment claims it is unlikely a foreign adversary is responsible for the mysterious cluster of symptoms known as 'Havana syndrome', according to a new report.The assessment casts doubt on the popular theory that directed energy weapons were involved in the phenomenon, two intelligence officials who are familiar with the findings told the Washington Post on Wednesday.
Named for the Cuban city where US embassy personnel first reported cases in 2016, Havana syndrome has since afflicted hundreds of officials at US facilities around the world, with symptoms including headaches and cognitive issues.
The new assessment, which has not yet been publicly released, combines the findings of seven US intelligence agencies, and follows comments from a State Department official that no 'outside causality' of Havana syndrome had been identified.
Five of the agencies determined it is 'very unlikely' a foreign power is responsible for Havana syndrome, whether through deliberate attack or as an unintentional side effect of some form of electronic surveillance, according to the Post.
Of the other two agencies, one described the foreign adversary theory as merely 'unlikely' and the other declined to render a determination.
Though descriptions vary widely, sufferers of Havana syndrome often describe hearing unsettling, unidentified noises accompanied by intense feelings of pressure in the head, followed by headaches and cognitive symptoms lasting for months, or longer.
Despite six years of investigations, scientists, physicians and government officials have been unable to determine the cause of the symptoms.
However, some have speculated they are the result of microwave or other types of directed energy attack from a foreign power, perhaps during attempts to gather information remotely from electronic devices.
(More on the link)
.