NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT WEDNESDAY 2/26/2020

(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY)

Julian Assange being treated roughly and being prevented from preparing for his defense in a London courtroom this week.    That's the latest from the extradition hearing for the Wikileaks founder who's wanted by the United States......USA TODAY NEWS STORY

President Trump appointing Vice-President Mike Pence to lead the US effort to deal with coronavirus.

Appearing at the White House this evening the President said regardless of the scale of the virus, the US is "ready".

Vice-President Pence spoke this evening.....VIDEO LINK

The coronavirus has the potential to impact economic conditions in the year of the President's re-election.

Saudi Arabia suspending travel to Islam's holiest sites over fears about the coronavirus.....ASSOCIATED PRESS STORY

Worldwide attention focused on Covid-19 the coronavirus today.   Iran reporting three more dead and 44 new cases today...MEHR NEWS AGENCY IRAN STORY

Russia will not issue visas for Iranians unless for business or humanitarian reasons beginning Friday....TASS NEWS STORY

The total number of cases in Italy at 374 with 12 dead.

In neighboring France three more cases and one death reported.    The total cases reported in France at 18.

A decision made not to close borders between the European countries.

The BBC coronavirus blog for today.......LINK

Military exercises involving the US and South Korea postponed because of the coronavirus.

RUSSIA AND TURKEY WILL CONTINUE CONSULTATIONS THURSDAY ON THE SITUATION IN NORTHWESTERN SYRIA......TASS NEWS REPORT

TURKEY'S DEFENSE MINISTRY ANNOUNCED THAT TWO TURKISH SOLDIERS WERE KILLED AND TWO WOUNDED IN A SYRIAN AIRSTRIKE IN THE GREATER IDLIB REGION....ANADOLU NEWS AGENCY REPORT

IN SYRIA THE PRO-OPPOSITION SYRIAN OBSERVATORY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS HAD REPORTED THAT THE SYRIAN ARMY STAGED A ROCKET ATTACK ON A TURKISH MILITARY CONVOY.      ITS REPORTED THAT THE SYRIAN ARMY IS ADVANCING IN SOUTHERN IDLIB PROVINCE TAKING TOWNS AND VILLAGES FROM JIHADIST OPPOSITION FORCES........SOUTHFRONT REPORT

Five employees killed and a fired employee dead after killing himself at a brewery in Milwaukee today.     The shooting at the Molson Coors Brewery formerly Miller Brewery.

More from the "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel"......LINK

A third day of rioting in India's capital Delhi that began with Muslims opposing India'a new citizenship law on the occasion of President Trump's visit to India.

Hindu activists launched a counterattack on the Muslim rioters and now at least 23 people are dead.

Calm so far today in India.

The story as seen through BBC News......LINK

Russia protesting the treatment of its citizen Viktor Bout inside the US prison system.   Bout moved into an isolation unit for terrorists at the federal prison in Marion, Illinois.    A diplomatic note of protest sent by Russia to the US State Department.....TASS NEWS STORY

A new public opinion poll in Israel puts the Likud Party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at 34 seats and the Blue and White Party of former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff at 32 seats.   In five days Israelis will participate in their third election in less than a year.....ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS STORY

Politics in the USA and Joe Biden getting the endorsement of South Carolina political insider Congressman James Clyburn, the House Majority Whip.     Clyburn the state's leading -African-American politician.

That's the way it really is Wednesday February 26th, 2020.