HUGE

Mossad Chief Visited Doha, Urged Qatar to Continue Hamas Financial Aid

Israeli visit disclosed by Avigdor Lieberman, who says Mossad chief and Israeli military commander were sent on the mission by Netanyahu

Mossad Chief Yossi Cohen visited Doha on February 5 in order to ensure Qatar continues its financial aid policy to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

The visit came to light in an interview former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman gave Israel's Channel 12 News on Saturday, saying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had sent Cohen and the Israeli military's chief of Southern Command Herzl Halevi to "beg the Qataris to keep funneling money into Hamas."

“Both the Egyptians and the Qataris are angry with Hamas, and they were going to cut all ties with them. All of a sudden Netanyahu shows up as a Hamas advocate, pressuring Egypt and the Qataris to continue” with the financial support, said Lieberman, adding that Netanyahu's policy is tantamount to “surrender to terrorism.”

According to Walla news website, Cohen and Halevi stayed in Doha for less than 24 hours, meeting with the Qatari envoy to the Gaza Strip Mohammed al-Emadi and Qatari national security advisor Mohammed Bin Ahmed al-Misnad.

https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/.premium-netanyahu-israel-mossad-chief-doha-qatar-continue-hamas-gaza-money-transfer-1.8564993

Erdogan Forces Recaptured Nayrab, But Lost Another Dozen Of Villages To Syrian Army

On February 24 morning, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other Idlib groups supported by the Turkish Army launched a new attempt to capture the village of Nayrab from the Syrian Army. Turkish-backed rebels bedecked with ISIS insignias once again reached the vicinity of the village, but were forced to retreat under strikes from the Syrian Army and the Russian Aerospace Forces. Pro-Turkish sources complained that ‘regime troops’ are using mines, road blocks, fortifications and even trenches to protect their positions. The devilry of the Assad regime has no bounds.

In the evening, Turkish-led forces carried out a second attack on Nayrab entering its eastern part and engaging army troops in a series of clashes. The fighting in the area continued overnight and by February 25 Idlib groups have established control of at least a half of the town. Pro-Turkish sources claim that entire Nayrab is in the hands of Turkish-led forces. Pro-government sources say that the lashes are ongoing.

The attack on Nayrab took place amid the ongoing Syrian Army advance in southern Idlib, south of the M4 highway. Government forces have cleared over a dozen of settlements from Turkish-led forces since the resumption of the offensive in the area on February 23. In the course of this effort, Syrian soldiers captured 3 vehicles and eliminated up to 10 militants. The advance is ongoing.

On the same day reports appeared that 13 Turkish soldiers were killed in airstrikes in the area of the Syrian Army operation in southern Idlib. According to pro-Turkish sources and Russian media, the incident happened somewhere near the villages of Kafr Nabl, Bara and Kansafra. According to Turkish authorities, 21 Turkish service member had died in the Greater Idlib operation so far. If the February 24 incident is confirmed, the number of casualties of Turkish forces in their Idlib adventurism will overcome 30.

The developments on the ground demonstrate that even with a direct Turkish involvement Idlib groups have not enough resources to oppose the Syrian Army advance across the region. So, while they were concentrating their efforts on Nayrab, their defense collapsed on another chunk of the frontline.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan confirmed his intention to meet with the leaders of Russia, France and Germany, on March 5 in Istanbul to discuss the situation in Idlib. This strange format, excluding Iran, another backer of the Damascus government and key player in the conflict, is likely seen by the Turkish leadership as a useful tool to make a ‘collective effort’ to pressure Russia over its strong support to the Syrian Army actions against terrorists. It also reveals that despite the recent decline of the EU involvement in the conflict, key EU states remain at least diplomatic supporters of terrorist factions operating in the country. At the same time, the initiative of the meeting itself demonstrates that Turkey is not so determined to turn its military threats against Syria into reality as it wants to demonstrate.

https://southfront.org/erdogan-forces-recaptured-nayrab-but-lost-another-dozen-of-villages-to-syrian-army/

Indiana Teacher fired for posting article about indoctrination taking place in the schools

Andrea Lane

4 days ago

As a former teacher and elementary Principal, I can attest to the fact that the public schools in our country are indeed involved in using curricula and programs such as the one she describes here. Firing her and having her take her own daughter out will only serve to enlighten other parents and create the necessary backlash to fuel even more parents’ decisions to homeschool their children. Thank you for speaking out! Thank you for being willing to put yourself on the line in order to help others who have no idea what’s going on. (My years in public schools were few-once I saw it wasn’t possible to change the system, I moved on. All my own kids were homeschooled as well.)

https://gellerreport.com/2020/02/teacher-fired-whistleblower.html/

>>8245019

Netanyahu continues bombing Gaza Strip

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided, on Monday evening, to continue bombing the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu made the announcement, via Twitter, following the security consultations he had with the Minister of Defence Naftali Bennett, Chief of Staff of the Army Aviv Kochavi, head of the Shin Bet security service, Nadav Argaman, and head of the National Security Council, Meir Ben Shabat.

In a related context, the Israeli army spokesman said, in a statement, that the Israeli forces launched new attacks, today, on sites belonging to the Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ) in the Gaza Strip, reported the Israeli Channel 13.

The spokesman said that Israeli fighter aircrafts targeted a military site belonging to the PIJ in Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, used for training and stockpiling weapons, in addition to another site in Bureij refugee camp, in central Gaza Strip.

As reported by the Hebrew media this evening, rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip towards nearby Israeli towns and settlements, including Netivot and Ashkelon, without causing casualties.

Yedioth Ahronoth said that the rockets, which targeted the settlements of the so-called “Gaza Cover”, had not stopped since 7:15 local time (13:07 GMT).

The newspaper indicated that the sirens calls were re-launched in Ashkelon and the Netivot settlement, in which schools were closed temporarily on Monday.

Meanwhile, the official channel Kan reported that 17 rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israeli settlements and towns, Monday, bringing the total number of rockets fired towards Israel since Sunday to about 50.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200225-netanyahu-continues-bombing-gaza-strip/

Israel and Iran were partners during war against Saddam, says ex-UK FM

Despite their public hostility, Israel and Iran cooperated militarily against Saddam Hussain’s Iraq during the 1980s Iraq-Iran war, former British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has claimed.

Straw, who served under Tony Blair during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, highlighted the complex relation between the two countries during an interview with Al-Araby TV. Straw is reported saying that Israel had provided information about military sites in western Iraq, while Iran provided Israel with information on Iraq’s Tammuz nuclear reactor, leading to its destruction in an Israeli strike.

During that period arms exports from Israel to Iran are said to have totalled around $2 billion. At the same time the US, Israel’s main western ally, backed the Iraqi dictator in the eight-year conflict which ended in 1988 following a UN-brokered truce. As many as one million people are thought to have died in the war.

Israel backed Tehran thinking that the revolutionary government of the Mullahs would act as a counterweight to Iraq. The secular Baathist leader posed a serious challenge to Israel’s military dominance in the region.

Perhaps Israel’s role in this regard will be best remembered for its part in the Iran-Contra affair. During the scandal, which began in 1984, Israel facilitated secret arms shipments from the US to Iran, even though the government of Ayatollah Khomeini was placed under an arms embargo. Proceeds from the arms sale were used to fund rebel groups in Nicaragua.

Following his departure from front line politics, Straw has given a number of revealing interviews about the Middle East. Two years ago, speaking at a MEMO conference, he hinted that he was sacked after urging for dialogue with Hamas.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200225-israel-and-iran-were-partners-during-war-against-saddam-says-ex-uk-fm/

With Grenell Appointment, the Israel Lobby’s Foothold on US Intelligence Grows Even Stronger

With Richard Grenell now overseeing all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies, Israel’s influence over the U.S. intelligence community has reached new and troubling heights.

Last week’s appointment of U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell to the post of Director of National Intelligence (DNI) received criticism from both sides of the political divide, mainly for his lack of experience and history of outspoken and partisan political statements. Much more overlooked, however, are Grenell’s ties to the powerful American pro-Israel lobby and Israeli politicians alike, including organizations and individuals with a history of espionage and blackmail against the United States.

Grenell is merely the latest example in a series of appointments over the past few years that have seen individuals with deep ties to the pro-Israel lobby rise to top positions in the U.S. intelligence community, including the NSA’s current director of Cybersecurity Anne Neuberger as well as the leaders of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB).

With many of these posts directly involved in overseeing the security of the upcoming 2020 election, ostensibly to combat “foreign interference,” these connections are even more significant. Some of the Israel lobby groups in question have not only engaged in illegal espionage against the U.S. government, but are also openly meddling in the current Democratic party primary.

Beyond the potential effects on the upcoming election, these troubling ties between top U.S. intelligence officials and a foreign government do not bode well for American national security and will only advance the long-standing practice of American neoconservatives conflating Israeli national security interests with those of the United States.

Grenell’s many conflicts of interest

Richard Grenell’s appointment last Wednesday to the post of Director of National Intelligence (DNI) raised a number of eyebrows on the Beltway and drew sharp condemnation from former and current intelligence officials alike. Most of the concern was due to the fact that Grenell, who has been serving as the U.S. ambassador to Germany, has virtually no intelligence experience or background. Yet, he will now oversee and coordinate all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA and NSA, and will be responsible for briefing President Trump on intelligence matters of both domestic and international concern.

Grenell’s new position is not required to be confirmed by the Senate unless Trump decides to nominate him as a permanent candidate at the end of the temporary three-month period during which he can serve as acting DNI. There has not been a permanent DNI since Dan Coats resigned last August.

Grenell’s appointment was also criticized due to his brazen political approach towards his diplomatic post as U.S. ambassador to Germany, which he will maintain while coordinating and overseeing U.S. intelligence activities. In his two years as ambassador, Grenell has alienated numerous German politicians to the extent that prominent officials have refused to meet with him. Some German officials began calling for his resignation during his first month as ambassador.

One very valid criticism of Grenell’s appointment, however, has been glossed over, namely his ties to controversial lobbyists, political operatives and foreign politicians. For instance, Grenell used to work on behalf of Arthur Finkelstein and Associates, a firm of the late Republican political operative of the same name.

https://www.mintpressnews.com/richard-grenell-israel-lobby-us-intelligence/265181/

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>>8245126

Feinberg was also one of the main shareholders in Israel’s then-largest bank, Bank Leumi, until he was pressured to sell his stake following the revelation that his partner in that investment, Ezra Merkin, played a key role in the Bernie Madoff scandal. Cerberus’ acquisition of those shares had originally been closely tied to a Likud party initiative to privatize Israel’s entire banking sector.

Companies owned by Cerberus have also been found to be closely tied to Saudi intelligence. The Washington Post reported last year that a U.S.-backed plan to “modernize” Saudi intelligence had been created by Culpeper National Security Solutions, a unit of Cerberus-owned DynCorp, along “with help from some prominent former CIA officials.” Another Cerberus-owned company called Tier 1 has also helped train Saudi Special Forces, some of whom were reportedly involved in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Though Feinberg says he divested his personal stake from these companies prior to chairing PIAB, they remain owned by his firm Cerberus and arguably still present a conflict of interest.

In addition to Feinberg, the PIAB’s current deputy chair — Samantha Ravich — formerly worked for the pro-Israel lobby group Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP), a spin-off of AIPAC that was created to shield the lobby organization from scrutiny when it was investigated in 1984 for espionage against the U.S. government on Israel’s behalf.

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IOC member says 2020 Olympics cancellation possible due to coronavirus spread

The 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo are scheduled to be held between July 24 and August 9

MOSCOW, February 25. /TASS/. Richard Pound, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), believes the Organizing Committee Tokyo-2020 should come with safety guarantees for the 2020 Summer Olympics before the end of May, otherwise "you’re probably looking at a cancellation" in view of the novel coronavirus spread, Associated Press reported on Tuesday.

"You could certainly go to two months out if you had to," Pound said in an interview with Associated Press. "A lot of things have to start happening."

"You've got to start ramping up your security, your food, the Olympic Village, the hotels, the media folks will be in there building their studios," the agency quoted Pound as saying.

Pound, who has served as a member of the IOC since 1978, called on athletes not to think about the possible cancellation and carry on with their trainings and preparations for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

"As far as we all know you're going to be in Tokyo," he stated. "All indications are at this stage that it will be business as usual."

"So keep focused on your sport and be sure that the IOC is not going to send you into a pandemic situation," Pound added.

The 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo are scheduled to be held between July 24 and August 9 and the 2020 Summer Paralympic Games will run between August 25 and September 6. According to the most recent data, over 850 people in Japan were reported to be infected with the novel coronavirus.

On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan, an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 11 million.

The virus was identified on January 7 as 2019-nCoV. As of today, 40 countries and territories, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.

The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on February 11 that the organization gave the novel coronavirus an official name of COVID-19.

According to the latest reports, over 80,370 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China and other countries. The virus’ death toll has hit the number of 2,707, yet more than 27,900 patients have recovered from the disease.

https://tass.com/sport/1123753

STOP BRIEFING ADAM SCHIFF TREY GOWDY SAYS

Trey Gowdy, a Fox News contributor, said on Tuesday that he is urging top intelligence officials to stop delivering sensitive briefings to House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff because he is a “leaker.”

Mr. Gowdy said, “no one is above the law, except whoever leaks classified information out of Adam Schiff’s committee.”Gowdy made these comments on “Hanniy,” in reaction to the recent intelligence briefing on Russia’s alleged 2020 election interference efforts to help President Trump.

“The intelligence committee needs to give some thought to stop briefing someone who has a history and an epidemic leaker.” “Quit briefing him,” Gowdy said.

President Trump himself said today “”I want no help from any country and I have been given no help from any country,”

https://thedcpatriot.com/stop-briefing-adam-schiff-trey-gowdy-says/

Leaked documents about Malaysian Boeing MH17

Yana Yerlashova and Max van der Werff discuss the leaked documents about the case of the Malaysian Boeing MH17.

Complete documents of all 4 leaks plus a new one can be downloaded as one folder with separate PDF-files by clicking this link. [Total file size 3 Mb – link expires February 29]

Regarding the authenticity of the leaked document ‘Operation Avanella’, conducted by the AFP, the Australian police issued a following statement:

Some of the documents recently distributed without permission are documents of the Australian Federal Police, prepared as part of the investigation being carried out by the Joint Investigation Group (JIT).

https://theduran.com/leaked-documents-about-malaysian-boeing-mh17/

In last days of campaign, Netanyahu stops shaking hands over coronavirus fears

PM’s decision is ‘responsible’ as he meets thousands each day, aides say; defense minister’s adviser excluded from meeting with PM after daughter returns from Thailand with cold

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stopped shaking hands on the campaign trail, in a telling signal of the growing worry among Israeli officials over the threat of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

At a visit to the Tomb of the Patriarchs holy site in Hebron on Tuesday, the prime minister was filmed refusing to shake hands with people he met in the West Bank city. The footage was broadcast by the Kan public broadcaster, six days before the national elections.

In the clip, Netanyahu is seen visiting the holy site when someone reaches out his hand. The prime minister doesn’t extend his own hand, and an aide is heard saying, “No handshakes.”

A slightly embarrassed Netanyahu bows slightly and says “namaste,” a customary Hindu greeting delivered with a bow.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-last-days-of-campaign-netanyahu-stops-shaking-hands-over-coronavirus-fears/

CIA & BND spy scandal shakes Switzerland neutrality

The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss the spying scandal involving Swiss encryption firm Crypto AG, the CIA and the German BND, which has blown apart the Swiss reputation for neutrality.

https://theduran.com/cia-bnd-spy-scandal-shakes-switzerland-neutrality-video/

Canadian Doctor Leaves China Without Entering Quarantine

The Canadian expert leading the World Health Organization (WHO) team in China responding to the new coronavirus departed Beijing without entering quarantine before landing in Geneva on Tuesday and going straight to a press conference, where he appeared without a mask.

Dr. Bruce Aylward is an infectious disease expert who led the organization’s team in China. The team traveled to different parts of the country, including Wuhan, the epicenter of the new virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease.

Aylward stopped in Beijing for a joint press conference with Chinese officials on Monday before departing and touching down in Switzerland, where the WHO is based.

Asked why he wasn’t wearing a mask, Aylward told reporters: “I don’t have COVID-19. I’m very low risk.”

Aylward said that his team had no contact with patients in China or even contact with people who were in contact with suspected or confirmed patients.

“I never had any exposures,” he said. “We are careful and we run careful.”

While in China, team members ate most of their meals in their hotel rooms. While on the job they ate at separate tables, Aylward said, recounting a lunch in the cafeteria at China’s Centers for Disease Control.

“You had to shout at each other,” he said.

The distance kept between people was two meters, or 6.5 feet. Experts say close contact means coming within six feet of those infected with the new virus.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/canadian-doctor-leaves-china-without-entering-quarantine_3250161.html

David Brock Drops Millions Against Trump in Pivotal Swing States

The liberal super PAC American Bridge, led by Media Matters founder David Brock, dropped $4 million into anti-Trump advertisements in swing states as part of a plan to "kick Donald Trump's ass."

Brock's PAC reported purchasing $2.7 million worth of anti-Trump ads in Pennsylvania, a pivotal 2020 state that Trump carried by less than 1 point in the 2016 election. The PAC pushed another $1.3 million into Wisconsin, which Trump also won by less than 1 point. The expenditures, made between Feb. 19 and Feb. 21, follow $2.2 million the group already poured into Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan in November and December.

Democratic power brokers and activists have zeroed in on the region in hopes of chipping away at Trump's support among working-class voters. American Bridge plans to spend $10 million over three months to damage Trump in the Midwest. Brock, however, could be in a difficult position if Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), the current frontrunner in the Democratic primaries, wins the party's nomination. The liberal operative has called for a campaign to stop Sanders from clinching the nomination.

"We don't have to win all of these voters back," Sacha Haworth, American Bridge's political director, told Politico about the group's plans to appeal to blue-collar Midwesterners. "We just need to be able to peel off enough of [Trump's] supporters within this swath of voters to deny him the White House in 2020."

Brock's group last year planned a $50 million campaign to weaken Trump's support in the Midwest using "research, tracking, and rapid response capabilities." The campaign would include a "massive" television, digital, and radio advertisement push to convince voters in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan that Trump was hurting their interests.

"We're now set to leverage our expertise to launch the largest persuasion media effort we've ever undertaken with the goal of making Trump a one-term president," Bradley Beychok, president of American Bridge, said in a press release at the time. "Donald Trump turned his back on the voters who gave him a lifeline in 2016. We plan to cut it."

Brock mapped out a plan to defeat Trump before the president was even inaugurated. The longtime Clinton ally privately briefed 100 donors at a posh Florida resort in January 2017 on how he would "kick Donald Trump's ass" over the following four years. The liberal operative said he would use a constellation of organizations to release a steady flow of damaging information about the president. The Washington Free Beacon obtained confidential documents from the gathering that showed Brock's plans to push Trump out of office through impeachment or at the ballot box.

But now, with Sanders's ascent in the Democratic primary, Brock may face a dilemma. In April 2019, he spoke to other Democratic operatives about a potential anti-Sanders campaign if the Vermont senator started to run away with the nomination.

"There's a growing realization that Sanders could end up winning this thing, or certainly that he stays in so long that he damages the actual winner," Brock said. Such a campaign would need to start "sooner rather than later," he added.

American Bridge did not respond to a request for comment on the Trump campaign or the status of the anti-Sanders campaign.

Brock's efforts in the Midwest coincide with initiatives from other liberal megadonors and groups.

https://freebeacon.com/politics/david-brock-drops-millions-against-trump-in-pivotal-swing-states/

US Imposes Sanctions on Entities in Russia and China Over 'Support of Iran's Missile Programme'

Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday that sanctions against individuals and entities in Russia, China, Iraq, and Turkey were "consistent with our efforts to use all available measures" to slow Iranian missiles.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced that Washington is imposing sanctions on 13 entities in Russia, China, Iraq, and Turkey for "supporting Iran's missile programme".

https://sputniknews.com/world/202002251078403967-us-imposes-sanctions-on-entities-in-russia-and-china-over-support-of-irans-missile-programme/

Ignores the elephant in the room

Eight Democrats and Independents in Mississippi Switch Parties to Republican — Leaders Express Concern Over Socialist Bernie Sanders

That was quick.

Eight Democrats and independents switched parties today in Mississippi to the Republican Party.

During the ceremony local leaders expressed concern over the direction of the Democrat Party under the authority of Socialist Bernie Sanders.

The Socialists look to sweep control of the Democrat Party this year.

WLOX reported:

The Mississippi Republican Party is welcoming some new members and all of them were elected public offices as Democrats or Independents in this most recent election cycle.

The Mississippi Republican Party Chairman says he doesn’t expect this will be the last time they are welcoming new members to the GOP.

“We have had a relentless focus on switching conservative Democrats over to the Republican party,” explained MSGOP Chairman Lucien Smith. “They recognize increasingly that there is only one party that represents the conservative values of our state and that is the Republican party.”

All eight of the latest party switchers were from Smith and Covington Counties and one District Attorney whose district covers those areas. But the conservation didn’t take long to expand to the national party ties.

“We are in a scenario in this country where you can choose to be a member of the party led by Donald J. Trump or you can choose to be a member of the socialist Democratic party led by Bernie Sanders,” noted Governor Tate Reeves.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/02/eight-democrats-and-independents-in-mississippi-switch-parties-to-republican-leaders-express-concern-over-socialist-bernie-sanders/

Merkel’s failing CDU to elect new party leader in April

BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union will elect a new leader at the end of April, party officials said Monday.

Current party chief Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer had been Merkel’s preferred heir-apparent, but announced earlier this month that she would step down and not seek to become the next chancellor in the 2021 election.

The decision came after a series of poor showings in state elections, and a failure by Kramp-Karrenbauer, who is also Germany’s defense minister, to establish her authority over the party.

That trend continued Sunday with the state election in Hamburg, where the CDU saw its support drop by 4.7 percentage points to 11.2% overall, putting the party behind the surging Greens and the Social Democrats.

It was, according to Kramp-Karrenbauer, a “bitter evening.”

There are three favorites to succeed her — former parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz, Armin Laschet, the governor of Germany’s most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia and Health Minister Jens Spahn.

Merz planned to officially declare his candidacy Tuesday, while Laschet and Spahn have yet to do so. A fourth candidate, former environment minister Norbert Roettgen, announced last week that he would seek the CDU leadership.

The choice of a new leader will be made at a special party meeting in Berlin on April 25, said Kramp-Karrenbauer.

The Christian Democrats campaign nationally with the Bavarian-only Christian Social Union, and the two parties will together have to decide on a joint candidate to run for chancellor.

https://voiceofeurope.com/2020/02/chancellor-merkels-cdu-party-to-elect-new-leader-in-april/

Coronavirus: Sen. Grassley Says Trump Admin Is ‘Doing Everything To Keep Americans Safe’

The Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Chuck Grassley had a classified briefing Tuesday on the growing Coronavirus crisis with senior level government officials saying he’s confident President Donald Trump ‘is doing everything needed to keep Americans safe.”

Grassley’s oversight and investigations staff for the Senate Finance Committee has jurisdiction over the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). On February 4, he also received a classified briefing from the HHS Office of National Security (ONS) on the coronavirus and how to curtail the spread of the deadly virus.

Grassley noted in his Tuesday Tweet that if more funding is “needed then Congress will do its job under the constitution” to combat the growing crisis.

The White House is reportedly preparing to ask Congress for emergency funds to help the administration fight the outbreak of the coronavirus, which has infected almost 80,000 people around the world and accounted for more than 2,000 deaths.

The formal request may be around $1 billion, two individuals with knowledge of the matter told Politico.

In early February Grassley criticized China’s reluctance to share data saying it “makes it all the more important that U.S. federal agencies work together and allow for maximum access to information across the government.”

“The intelligence community is hard at work to protect Americans,” Grassley said. “It’s critical that their hard work not go to waste and that all federal health agencies have access to the information they need to do their jobs. Over-classification during a public health emergency could have deadly consequences. Federal health agencies must also have a seat at the table with the intelligence community when it makes decisions related to this issue.”

https://saraacarter.com/coronavirus-sen-grassley-says-hes-confident-trump-admin-is-doing-everything-to-keep-americans-safe/

US Navy’s $2.6Bn Submarine Losing Its Stealth Coating After One Deployment

On February 20th, the USS Colorado, the US Navy’s new Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, came back from its maiden deployment and its stealth coating appears to be falling off.

Upon surfacing, the submarine was spotted with significant cracking along her hull, though she remained structurally sound and the damage appeared to only affect the Special Hull Treatment, an anechoic coating used to absorb sound waves.

This could be due to the long voyage, as well as that it was in harsher conditions – northern waters.

Regardless, given the cost of the technology, associated costs of applying the coatings and the drag caused by uneven surfaces, the significant wear is anything but ideal.

The US, British and Russian navies all struggle with the coating eventually coming off, particularly in colder waters, but the case of the Colorado is rather unique since it happened on its very first deployment.

The submarine costs approximately $2.6 billion.

The Virginia class fast-attack submarine USS Colorado (SSN 788), commanded by Capt. Jason Geddes, returned from a maiden deployment to its homeport at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut.

During the course of sailing approximately 39,000 nautical miles, the crew of Colorado executed the Chief of Naval Operation’s maritime strategy supporting national security interests and maritime security operations.

“I am humbled by the skill, hard work, and dedication these Colorado warriors displayed for our maiden deployment,” said Geddes. “It was an all-hands effort to include the love and support we enjoyed from our amazing families back home.”

Colorado was commissioned in March 2018 as the 15th Virginia-class fast-attack submarine to join the fleet. The crew demonstrated critical navigational and ship handling skills throughout the deployment.

“It’s truly impressive that after only a year-and-a-half after commissioning, our crew displayed the toughness and tenacity required to go to the far-reaching corners of the earth in support of our nation’s interests,” said Master Chief Electronics Technician (Radio) Larry Alger. “We’re ready to get back out to the fight if called on to do it tomorrow.”

Fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.

They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or preparation of regional crises.

https://southfront.org/us-navys-2-6bn-submarine-losing-its-stealth-coating-after-one-deployment/

Virus emergency blueprint: Australia pulls trigger on pandemic plan

The Australian government has activated its emergency response plan to an impending coronavirus pandemic, foreshadowing fever clinics, fast-tracked vaccines and severe pressure on hospitals, blood banks, medical supplies and mortuaries.

Dubbed "The COVID-19 plan", the blueprint outlines a strategy in the event of a large-scale coronavirus outbreak as world leaders and biosecurity experts warn a pandemic is almost inevitable.

The document flags a "precautionary approach", emergency pandemic legislation, and provisions for the Prime Minister to assume prime responsibility for efforts to contain the disease.

"The novel coronavirus outbreak represents a significant risk to Australia," the document reads. "It has the potential to cause high levels of morbidity and mortality and to disrupt our community socially and economically."

The plan lists three possible best-to-worst case scenarios the healthcare system could face depending on the severity of the disease and how quickly it spreads.

If the severity is 'low', the impact would be similar to a the 2009 H1N1 pandemic or a bad flu season, stretching hospital and primary care services.

A 'moderate' outbreak would put hospitals under "severe pressure", health authorities would mobilise dedicated coronavirus clinics, elective surgeries and other non-urgent procedures could be "scaled back", and new pandemic legislation could be enacted.

A 'high' severity outbreak – the most extreme scenario – assumes an outbreak would reach a magnitude not seen since the 1918 'Spanish Flu', which infected one third of Australians, and killed between 50 million and 100 million globally.

GPs, pharmacies, nurses, aged care facilities, blood banks and diagnostic services would be stretched to capacity to prioritise essential hospital services, and "mortuary services will be under pressure".

https://www.smh.com.au/national/virus-emergency-blueprint-australia-pulls-trigger-on-pandemic-plan-20200225-p54490.html

>>8245424

STOP PROTECTING ISRAEL

>>8245019 Mossad Chief Visited Doha, Urged Qatar to Continue Hamas Financial Aid

>>8245100 Israel and Iran were partners during war against Saddam, says ex-UK FM

>>8245126, >>8245135 With Grenell Appointment, the Israel Lobby’s Foothold on US Intelligence Grows Even Stronger