NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT SUNDAY 2/16/2020

(SERVICE WHEN ABLE ON HOLIDAY WEEKEND INTO LATE EVENING WITH SERVICE ENDED AT 10 PM EASTERN TIME US SUNDAY)

A threat from President Trump for any countries that choose to deal with China's Huawei tech firm but first.....

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will convene a crisis meeting of the "Incident Response Group" tomorrow.

 Trudeau cancelling a planned trip to Barbados in the Caribbean to lobby nations there for a seat on the UN Security Council so he can deal with the "First Nations" blockade by Mohawks of a key railroad link in Ontario.

A statement from the Prime Minister's Office tonight says in part:

"Our priority remains the safety and security of all Canadians and the swift resolution of this issue to restore service across the rail system in accordance with the law"

Indigenous groups protesting the construction of a natural gas pipeline in western Canada where a blockade of construction was broken up about a week ago by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

More from CBC News in Canada......LINK

In northwestern Syria humanitarian corridors are to be opened so that civilians can flee the areas where fighting has occurred or may occur in the future.

That's the word from the Syrian government side as reported by the Al Mayadeen satellite channel in Lebanon and confirmed by the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria.

More from "Southfront"......LINK

Syrian forces claiming a major victory clearing areas west of Aleppo city from where jihadist opposition forces had launched artillery fire and rockets on the civilian population.

The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights acknowledges Syrian government gains on the ground and reports that more Turkish military equipment has arrived bringing the number of Turkish military vehicles moved into northwestern Syria since the beginning of the month to 2,160.

SOHR estimates that more than 7-thousand Turkish soldiers have moved into northwestern Syria in recent weeks.

"I consider unacceptable to transfer the territory of these countries into the theater of geopolitical competition and point-scoring.   Likewise, to use terrorists for achievement of lucrative  geopolitical goals."

The situation in Syria and other Middle Eastern nations as seen by Russia's Foreign Minister at the Munich Security Conference this weekend.......TASS NEWS STORY

...

Sergei Lavrov on hand along with other leaders from around the world including US Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

"..experts are becoming petty and discussions are disappointing.."

Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova was in attendance at Munich and offered her observations in a Russian TV interview tonight.   She says the ground rules like international law have broken down and discussion is focused on what's happening today or yesterday leading to poor discussions.....TASS NEWS STORY

The "New York Times" is reporting that US military forces in Syria are having more close encounters with Russian and Syrian forces.    Drones and helicopters are reported active countering US forces.

A perspective on this "Times" story from Iran's "Press TV".....LINK

"This is Nevada.   There's always a little excitement--at no extra cost...."

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders spoke after he was confronted by animal rights protesters at a campaign rally today with one of them a topless woman.

Sanders campaigning ahead of next Saturday's Democratic Caucus in Nevada......NEW YORK POST STORY 

Sanders was slammed by former President Joe Biden at a Nevada campaign rally this weekend for voting against legislation to make gun manfacturers liable in shooting incidents.....ASSOCIATED PRESS STORY PUBLISHED BY MANILA TIMES

And Pete Buttigieg had this to say on CNN's "State of the Union"....

..."I'm not going to take lectures on family values from the likes of Rush Limbaugh"

Buttigieg upset over Rush's questioning of his electability on his radio show last Wednesday.  Rush saying in part:

"Thirty-seven-year-old-gay-guy kissing his husband on stage, next to Mr. Man, Donald Trump.."

More on this from the "New York Post".....LINK

In France Health Minister Agnes Buzyn tapped to run as President Emmanuel Macron's candidate for Mayor of Paris next month.    She is replacing Benjamin Griveaux who withdrew from the face Friday after explicit videos of him were published online.

Griveaux filed a complaint with police who have arrested Russian emigre artist Piotr Pavlenski and his partner Alexandra De Taddeo in connection with release of the videos.....ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWS STORY

In Haifa, Israel today a riot at the trial of an Israeli police officer accused of killing Ethiopian-Israeli teenager Solomon Tekah.     As today's hearing ended family members rushed towards the booth where the accused police officer was shouting "killer".     The judge in the case saying outside media pressure and protest would not affect his court.

More from "Israel National News".....LINK

US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell tweeted today that President Trump has told him that any country allowing the Chinese technology firm Huawei to help with 5 G communications risks losing access to intelligence sharing with the US.

More on this from the AFP News Agency......LINK

The US and Australia have already expressed displeasure through officials in private meetings over the British decision to use the Chinese company Huawei to help build a 5 G network in the UK.    Now word that the UK is meeting with China's state owned railway for a role in building a new high-speed rail link announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

More from BBC News....LINK

The coronavirus statistics released Monday morning in China with 1,770 now dead nationwide, 70,500 cases and more than 10,800 recovered.....two planes carrying some 400 Americans from a quarantined cruise ship in Japan are headed back to the United States.    40 Americans infected with the virus are remaining in Japan for treatment.

That's the way it really is Sunday February 16th, 2020.