‘Change course before it's too late’: Lavrov calls on Europe to reject false notion of ‘Russian threat’ in Munich speech

NATO’s eastward expansion and large-scale drills near Russian borders may lead to unpredictable consequences and it's time for Europe to change course, Russia's FM Sergey Lavrov told the Munich Security Conference.

Europe is where the "crisis of confidence" in international relations is felt the most, Foreign Minister Lavrov said as he took to the stage, explaining that "the structure of the Cold War rivalry is being recreated" on the continent.

"Escalating tensions, NATO's military infrastructure advancing to the East, exercises of unprecedented scope near the Russian borders, the pumping of defense budgets beyond measure – all this generates unpredictability," he added.

He then called on Europe to focus on security cooperation and helping to uphold international treaties, instead of following a policy of confrontation.

Give up on promoting the phantom of the 'Russian threat' or any other threat – before it's too late – and remember what unites us all.

Lavrov noted that "breakthrough technologies" must not be used to disrupt international stability further, stressing the importance of efforts aimed at "preventing an arms race in space and not allowing the militarization of cyberspace."

He also relayed Moscow's proposal for the permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, France, Russia, the UK and the US) to hold a standalone summit in order to have "a frank and honest exchange of opinions on how to preserve peace for future generations."

Lavrov answered several questions from the media, which mainly revolved around the state of Russia's relations with Turkey over the flare-up in Syria's Idlib, the last terrorist enclave in country's north. Moscow and Ankara have been working to settle the military escalation in the area, but both parties made accusations that agreements had not been fulfilled after the Syrian and the Turkish troops clashed.

"We have very good relations with Turkey. But it doesn't mean that we must agree on everything," Lavrov said.

However, victory against the terrorists in Idlib is "inevitable," he stressed, adding that separating the militants from "normal opposition" remains a pressing issue. According to the top Russian diplomat, that's something Ankara must do, due to its influence with the anti-government fighters.

https://www.rt.com/news/480938-lavrov-nato-turkey-russia-munich/

Former Clinton Advisor Warns Mike Bloomberg: ‘Before You Put Hillary on Your Ticket, Better Hire a Taster’

Former Clinton advisor Dick Morris fired a warning shot to Mike Bloomberg following Matt Drudge’s claim that Bloomberg was considering Hillary Clinton as a running mate.

“Sources close to Bloomberg campaign tell DRUDGE REPORT that candidate is considering Hillary as running mate, after their polling found the Bloomberg-Clinton combination would be a formidable force…” Matt Drudge said.

DICK MORRIS: To: Mike Bloomberg: Before you put Hillary on your ticket, better hire a taster

Dick Morris knows the Clintons very well.

Mr. Morris was a political advisor for Bill Clinton going back to his bid for Governor of Arkansas and helped Clinton with both of his presidential runs in the 90’s.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/02/former-clinton-advisor-warns-mike-bloomberg-before-you-put-hillary-on-your-ticket-better-hire-a-taster/

US & Taliban Reach Major Truce Deal; Features Eventual Release Of 5,000 Taliban Prisoners

A senior US official announced Friday that a ceasefire deal with the Taliban has been agreed to after 16 months of controversial direct State Department and Taliban negotiations, AP reports, as part of the continuing Trump administration saga to finally get out America's 18-year war.

The deal is being described as "very specific" — a positive sign considering recent perhaps more ambiguous ceasefire attempts have quickly failed before even getting off the ground — and includes a seven day "reduction of violence" nationwide which is to be a precursor to all-Afghan peace talks within 10 days.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper had first hinted at the deal in comments on Friday, saying Washington had "negotiated a proposal for a seven-day reduction in violence."

According to the AP, the end goal if this new deal sticks would "initiate the peace negotiations and the withdrawal of U.S. troops".

The AP describes the conditional precursor as follows:

The official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the Taliban had committed to a halt in roadside and suicide bombings as well as rocket attacks. The official said the U.S. would monitor the truce and determine if there were any violations.

The deal will not impact ongoing counter-terror operations against Islamic State and al-Qaeda terrorists still in Afghanistan, and is part of a broader White House policy that seeks to separate and turn the Taliban against these other Islamist insurgent rivals.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Esper met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of an international security summit in Munich on Friday, where details were discussed in private.

The deal is also said to involve a good faith agreement for the US and Afghan national government to provide for the release of some 5,000 Taliban prisoners after the ceasefire sticks.

But the initial "reduction in violence" stipulation will be the key litmus test, considering past attempts have failed, with major bombings in Kabul having followed prior deals. There's also the likelihood that the Taliban doesn't have control of all of its own factions, and the possibility that dissenting leaders could seek to sabotage it.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-taliban-reach-major-truce-agreement-features-eventual-release-5000-taliban

Erdogan Demands Syrian Forces Immediately Leave Idlib, Refuses to Wait Until End of Month

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded on Saturday that Syrian government forces immediately withdrew from areas close to Turkish observation posts in Idlib, backtracking from his previous pledge to wait for the move until the end of February.

"Until the regime’s [Syrian government] forces pull out beyond the borders [of the Idlib de-escalation zone] outlined in the Sochi agreement, the problem will not be solved. If they do not leave, we will do this work without waiting until the end of February," Erdogan said in a speech in Istanbul, broadcast by the NTV channel.

Erdogan has repeatedly threatened military action unless Syrian armed forces halt their operation in Idlib and withdrew from the de-escalation zone by the end of the month.The situation in Idlib has been tense for months. Tensions spiked recently after Turkish military units came under fire from Syrian government forces, and two Syrian helicopters were shot down.

Ankara has accused the Syrian government forces of violating the ceasefire in Idlib and has threatened military force unless the situation changes. Damascus, in turn, has defended its right to retaliate against continued militant attacks on civilians and government forces in Idlib.

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202002151078324418-erdogan-demands-syrian-forces-immediately-leave-idlib-refuses-to-wait-until-end-of-month/

Love Island host Caroline Flack found dead at 40

One of the UK’s most popular and successful TV presenters has been found dead in her London flat, after apparently committing suicide.

High profile UK TV presenter Caroline Flack has been found dead at her London flat after taking her own life.

Former Love Island host Caroline, 40 – who was due in court next month on charges of assaulting her boyfriend – was found in her new flat today.

Tonight, friends and family of the presenter were devastated by her untimely death – which came just a day after her lover Lewis Burton, publicly made contact with her despite a court ban.

A family statement read: “We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February.

“We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.”

Model Lewis, 27, did not want to press charges and Caroline was reportedly determined to prove her innocence, insisting she did not assault her boyfriend.

Those close to Caroline are said to be furious that the Crown Prosecuation Service (CPS) continued to prosecute Caroline despite Lewis making clear he did not want them to and there being no serious injury.

They are angry that the CPS had refused to listen to warnings that Caroline was vulnerable.

ITV released a statement: “Everybody at Love Island and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news.

“Caroline was a much loved member of the Love Island team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends.”

Lewis had declared his love for Caroline on Instagram yesterday as they spent Valentine’s Day apart.

He posted a sweet snap of the pair of them with the caption: “Happy valentines [red love heart] Love you [kissing emoji]”.

Axed Love Island presenter Caroline’s own last Instagram post also came a day before her death – and showed her giving her pet dog Ruby a kiss.

The poignant snap showed Caroline with freshly-dyed blonde hair puckering up to the french bulldog in the post that was “liked” by 122,000 people.

Ex-tennis player Lewis was told the terrible news of her death while on a skiing holiday with pals – and was tonight travelling back to the UK.

Caroline’s death has left her parents Christine and Ian, brother Paul and sisters Elizabeth and Jody heartbroken.

https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/love-island-host-caroline-flack-found-dead-at-40/news-story/cd35444f72b4beb3ac27a446620f9c04

>>8147639

Sure is

Quick we need to kill some children for Moloch

Two Gaza rockets strike south despite reports of ceasefire; no injuries

Earlier this week, defense official said Israel believed attacks from the Strip would end; Hamas official says calm would return to region only after Jerusalem meets its demands

Palestinian terrorists fired at least two rockets at southern Israel on Saturday night, apparently hitting open fields, despite recent reports from both sides of the border of a ceasefire agreement, the military said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The rockets appeared to strike outside the community of Kibbutz Kissufim, just east of the Gaza border, in the Eshkol region. Residents of the area reported hearing the sound of an explosion.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/rocket-sirens-sound-in-south-despite-reports-of-gaza-ceasefire/

These never hit anything and always result in tanks or airstrikes that kill civilians, but it's always hamas targets wink wink FFS

Bill Binney, a 32 year National Security Agency expert, has made a sworn declaration that Wiki-leaks did not receive stolen data from the Russian government, intrinsic metadata shows that the data in question was put on a thumb drive and physically taken from the DNC.

National File received a copy of the three page sworn declaration made by leading intelligence community expert Binney for Roger Stone, in which he makes a convincing case that neither Russia nor any other foreign country hacked the DNC emails during the 2016 Presidential election.

In the testimony, Binney, a 32-year National Security Agency expert, says that Wiki-leaks did not receive stolen data from the Russian government. Rather, intrinsic metadata shows that the data in questions was put on a thumb drive and physically taken from the DNC.

According to the declaration, Binney was a world leader in geopolitics having started his career as a “Russian specialist.”

The document is part of a legal defense of Stone, who is being accused and tried in Federal court of receiving and distributing stolen emails belonging to then-presidential candidate, Hillary R. Clinton, from Russian operatives to help assist then-candidate Donald J. Trump win the presidency.

Except Binney says the hack didn’t happen, that the emails were downloaded at the DNC, and it wasn’t a foreign body who did anything because the download times don’t match that sort of activity.

Binney wrote, “My duties [at the NSA] include working with foreign governments who receive signals intelligence collected by the NSA. These include the so-called Five Eyes.”

Binney wrote in the declaration that he worked on Russia for the NSA from 1974 to 1996. He quit the NSA in protest over unethical practices by other agents and government bureaucrats and has been speaking out against government overreach for years.

Curiously the Special Prosecutor for “Russian-Trump” Collusion, Robert Mueller, never called Binney to talk, and neither has anyone prosecuting Stone for colluding with Russians for imagined hacked emails.

According to the Government Accountability Project, “Concerned over national security, Binney blew the whistle on the mismanagement over Trailblazer, using internal channels to share their concerns with Congress and the Department of Defense Inspector General (DoD IG). Despite their efforts, no one was held accountable at NSA for one of the worst intelligence failures in history 9/11. Little did they know at the time, Binney would face harsh retaliation from NSA for their efforts to make the truth known.”

Also in the transcript of interest is that Binney is the co-founder of Signals Intelligence Automation Research Center (SARC), which is where Binney developed a working prototype system for focus on metadata mining and link analysis was designed to help analysts pinpoint the truly important leads to follow while discarding irrelevant data, nicknamed Thinthread.

Thinthread was very successful in detecting the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and was quickly eliminated by bureaucrats in the US Government after Binney was stripped of his security clearances and marginalized by politicians as being irrelevant.

https://nationalfile.com/nsa-whistleblower-binney-says-there-was-no-russian-hack-as-stone-prosecution-claims/