THE BATTLE OF BREXIT:  DAY OF DECISION IN PARLIAMENT, JOHNSON GETS TEST VOTE ON 'GREAT NEW DEAL'

Boris Johnson's bid to push through a new "deal" with the European Union called the second worst deal since former Prime Minister Theresa May's one and "Brexit In Name Only" among other things is coming to the decisive moment in the hours ahead.

A massive Remain rally planned before the decision on the  "deal" in  a special House of Commons session today.

Leave forces led by Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage got their say outside Parliament last night saying among other things:

"this sell out from the British prime minister...lipstick on the pig....it's still the second worst deal in history and it's still not worth voting for......This is not Brexit...."

The full rally video with low audio in first minutes......LINK

Farage calling on Johnson to bring forward a General Election instead of the deal and to delay any dealing with the European Union until after the election.

Another speaker at last night's rally Democratic Unionist Party MP Ian Paisley Jr. son of the legendary Dr. Ian Paisley.    Paisley Jr. saying in part about Johnson's "deal" and how it affects the union of Northern Ireland with the rest of the United Kingdom:

".....we cannot recklessly treat the union and leave a part of the union behind or a part of the union left in a state of limbo  which is exactly what would happen to Northern Ireland....it will leave part of the union behind...."

This morning the BBC publishing a story about the notion that the British and Irish governments would provide funding to help Northern Ireland under Johnson's deal quoting Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar.....LINK

Below are links to Farage's Twitter feed and those of other opponents of the Johnson deal.

NIGEL FARAGE TWITTER PAGE

BREXIT PARTY TWITTER

FOR BRITAIN CHAIR TWITTER

UNITED KINGDOM INDEPENDENCE PARTY (UKIP) TWITTER FEED

The Parliament session itself now underway with an vote on an amendment expected at 930 am Eastern US time this morning.

PARLIAMENT SESSION LIVE VIDEO


DUP Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds saying the Prime Minister should reconsider his "deal" again making the point that the UK should leave the EU as one country instead of treating Northern Ireland differently.

This video of his speech posted by the "Irish Independent".....LINK


As we approach the vote the bookies cutting the odds on Boris Johnson's deal being rejected.

The BBC blog is up......BBC POLITICAL BLOG BREXIT

Johnson will be watching the voting on the Letwin Amendment and may pull back from this vote if it passes......

LETWIN AMENDMENT PASSES 322-306

This has put Boris Johnson into a position he says he doesn't want to be in.   Asking the EU for an extension.

Of course EU leadership was backing Johnson up in recent days saying there can be no more extensions even as people like Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage advocated for a delay and a General Election to settle Brexit.

Farage tweeted in recent hours that he is disappointed with the "European Research Group" Conservative MP's who claimed to be for Brexit and opposed Theresa May's deal now supporting the Johnson "deal" with the EU that is 95 percent what Theresa May's plan was.

Farage spoke in a radio interview with LBC Radio after the Letwin Amendment passed saying that its time for a General Election followed by a "Clean Break Brexit" from the European Union.   If that doesn't happen:

"The public will just see more parliamentary shenanigans, more delay, more attempt to stop Brexit"

Farage thinks the endgame of the Remainer majority in Parliament is a second referendum.

Farage's LBC interview at this link......NIGEL FARAGE LBC RADIO 10/19/2019

Johnson making it clear he isn't asking for an extension insisting Brexit must be achieved on his terms by Thursday October 31st.

Drama outside Parliament as the Remainer rally for a second referendum vote is underway with Boris Johnson's cabinet ministers being escorted by police away from Parliament and friction with the protesters.

What's next will be interesting but as far as Parliament is concerned and the judiciary as well and the media and the government bureaucracy the Remainer forces have power and control and whatever power the above institutions have will be marshaled to prevent any "Clean Break Brexit" from the EU.

Boris Johnson can comply with asking for a delay, ignore the vote of Parliament and go forward with his deal and expect a legal challenge giving the courts the opportunity to weigh in.

He could also decide to leave office with his resignation creating a limbo in government that a Remainer majority could potentially fill a vacuum with.  They could then push through its agenda of the second "People's Referendum".

But the next chapter will be written in the coming hours and days.


Nigel Farage posting a video of his speech last night that explained the reality as he sees it of the "Great New Deal" of Boris Johnson and the pretend in the "deal" when it comes to British sovereignty.....


BORIS' DEAL-THE FACTS-NIGEL FARAGE


Johnson taking a few more days apparently to twist arms and get a vote in the coming days on his "deal".    That is the word we get as of Saturday night.

He is complying with legal requirements already stipulated by Parliament and sending a letter asking for an extension to the EU.  Media reports Saturday night note that he did not sign the letter.

But the Letwin Amendment vote gave Boris Johnson a test vote that put him seven votes short of being able to pass what he calls a "Great New Deal".

And he intends to come back Monday to do just that.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT FRIDAY 10/18/2019  NEWSDUMP FRIDAY 

(SERVICE IS LIMITED AS TO POSTING TIMES BUT WILL CONCLUDE LATE TONIGHT WITH POSTS AND EDITING EXTENDING PAST MIDNIGHT EASTERN TIME TILL AROUND 115 AM)

"This is about manslaughter, rape and more"

The words of US Senator, Democrat Ron Wyden of Oregon, speaking on the floor of the Senate Thursday.

What information does the FBI have about the Saudi government's role in spiriting its citizens out of the United States to avoid criminal prosecution?

Wyden's  Saudi Fugutives Declassification act passed the US Senate by "unanimous consent" Thursday requiring the FBI Director in conjunction with the Director of National Intelligence to declassify documents related to Saudi government activities to help Saudis flee justice in the United States.

"OregonLive/The Portland Oregonian" investigated cases of Saudi citizens accused of crimes in the US finding seven such cases and additional cases in seven other states bringing the total to 25.

Three-quarters of the cases involved sexual assault.

More from "OregonLive"........LINK

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed today that Boeing turned over documents it discovered "some months ago".

Internal instant messaging from inside the company in 2016 between two employees suggests Boeing may have misled the FAA about a key safety component of the now grounded 737 MAX aircraft.

Product recalls announced Friday.

The maker of Zantac Sanofi recalling the product in the United States and Canada.    Other countries and retailers had already taken the product off the shelf in recent months.

The Food and Drug Administration investigating the notion that ranitidine, the generic name for the product, is contaminated with or may interact with use to create a cancer causing agent.

Johnson and Johnson recalling 33-thousand bottles of baby powder after traces of asbestos were found.    An  FDA test found the contamination in a bottle purchased online.

The State Department's internal investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's use of private email found violations by 38 people.   

The 38 people are current and former State Department officials who are not identified.   In 91 cases they sent classified information to Clinton's personal email.

Some may face disciplinary action.    The report says that no deliberate or systematic mishandling of classified information occurred.

This Associated Press story was published by "The New York Post" on the matter......LINK

Japan is considering sending its own protection force to the Strait of Hormuz area but not associate itself with the United States-Gulf Arab protection force organized in the aftermath of recent oil tanker attacks and seizures in the region.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga revealed this at a Friday news conference.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is close to President Trump, played the role of intermediary in June talking to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

Japan also has close economic ties to Iran importing Iranian oil and does not want to appear hostile.

Japan's "Asahi Shimbun" has more on the story.....LINK

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Friday.

Pompeo reassuring Israel that the United States has a policy focused on the "Iranian threat".  The withdrawal of US troops from northeastern Syria is considered inconsistent with an anti-Iran policy in Israel and among leading figures in both major political parties in the United States, among other places.

President Trump's Syria policy is considered an plus in this commentary on the "Moon of Alabama" website posted today.......LINK

From the conflict in northeastern Syria word Friday of Turkish forces and their armed Syrian supporters attacking Kurds in spite of the cease-fire agreed to on Thursday.

The French President Emmanuel Macron announcing a joint initiative with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel aiming at a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.  

Macron speaking to reporters at the summit of European Union leaders in Brussels.

ALSO IN SYRIA FRIDAY AIRSTRIKES AGAINST JIHADISTS IN NORTHWESTERN SYRIA WITH THE RUSSIAN AEROSPACE FORCES (AIR FORCE) OPERATING IN SOUTHERN IDLIB PROVINCE.

TALK FROM PRO-GOVERNMENT SOURCES OF AN IMPENDING GROUND ATTACK BY SYRIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES THERE BUT NO SIGN OF IT HAPPENING YET.

A day of arm twisting and cajoling for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he tries to round up 320 House of Commons members to pass his Brexit "deal" with the European Union.

A special Saturday session planned to vote on the "deal".

Advocates for a clean break from the European Union call the deal "Brexit In Name Only".

Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party, led a list of speakers at a rally in Westminster Friday night.

There's a BBC blog following the latest news about the "deal" today.....LINK 

A general strike underway today in Catalonia protesting the Spanish Supreme Court's hundred years worth of prison sentences for Catalan leaders involved in the 2017 independence referendum.

Highways blocked including the main highway connecting Spain with France.

Protesters marching on the capital city of Barcelona from five other cities for a mass rally attended by half a million people.

Four days of protests in the city including some clashes with police involving the use of molotov cocktails by protesters and anti-riot bullets by the police.

Late Friday fighting again erupted on the streets of Barcelona with rocks and fireworks from protesters and rubber bullets and tear gas from the police.

More from France's AFP News Agency.......LINK

A live multiplex video stream of the protests was posted Friday morning.....LINK

Another stream began later in the day currently up at 625 am Eastern US time Friday.....LINK

This live video also up from "Ruptly" of the protesters who are fighting the police.....LINK

This video link shows the non-violent march and rally and the massive crowd in downtown Barcelona today.......LINK

There is a state of emergency after a protest against fare hikes in Santiago, Chile's subway system Friday included attacks on subway stations by hooded protesters who lit fires.

Pots were clanged and streets blocked after dark in the city.  The headquarters building of an Italian energy company was set on fire.

The subway in the city will remain closed over the weekend.   Military patrols began in the city after the state of emergency was declared.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera saying:

"This is not protest, it is crime"

Tonight in a televised address President Pinera declared a state of emergency in Santiago...."The Guardian" reports.....LINK

A video report on the protest from "The Guardian".....LINK

Live video from "24 Hours" news channel in Chile......LINK

A Muslim comedian and radio host in France, Yassine Belattar, resigning from President Emmanuel Macron's Council of Cities.

In an open letter to the President published in the newspaper "Liberation",  Belattar blames the recent controversy over a Muslim woman wearing a veil during a school trip and the criticism of it by some of Macron's cabinet ministers.

Belattar writes in part:

....I am disappointed that some ministers you have chosen do not even support the idea of seeing a woman veiled on the territory..."

While the cabinet ministers have expressed their views, President Macron himself is not advocating for any laws to ban the wearing of the veil  expressing his concern that Muslims in France should not be "stigmatized" as he also says he supports France's secular tradition. 

Strongest opposition in connection with the veil wearing incident has come from the National Rally party of Marine Le Pen.

The family of an Israeli woman being held on drug trafficking charges in Russia with a seven year plus prison sentence wants Israel's Justice Minister to delay the extradition of a Russian hacker to the United States.

The case of Aleksey Burkov appears related to the treatment of Naama Issachar and her family's lawyer says there is more that the government can do about the case.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin have appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for a pardon of Naama Issachar.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador holding a meeting of his security cabinet following the Thursday incident in the city of Culiacan heavy fighting broke out in the city when police captured the son of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

President Obrador said on Friday:

"The capture of a criminal is not worth more than people's lives"

The police freed Ovidio Guzman Lopez to stop the violence.

Eight killed and 21 wounded in the fighting.

The bombing of a mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan during Friday prayers.     At least 62 killed and more than 100 wounded.   Several blasts in the attack.

The "Extinction Rebellion" climate change protesters defying a ban on protest in London blockading Oxford Circus in the city center Friday.

Police removed demonstrators perched on wooden pyramids using a cherry picker.

Later in the day a protester climbed Big Ben dressed as Prime Minister Boris Johnson and displayed banners.

More from the BBC......LINK

And a tropical storm approaching Florida's west coast.    Nestor has maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour.    The storm to make landfall Saturday morning on the Florida panhandle.

And for now that's the way it really is for Newsdump Friday October 19th, 2019.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT THURSDAY 10/17/2019  BREXIT DEAL STEAMROLLER, 'CHEMICAL BURNS' ALLEGED IN TURKISH ATTACK IN SYRIA, CEASE-FIRE DEAL REACHED WITH TURKEY

(SERVICE IS LIMITED AND WILL BE COMPLETED LATE THURSDAY AFTER MIDNIGHT NO LATER THAN 1230 AM)

BREAKING NEWS:

The quick steamroller process is underway with the announcement of what Prime Minister Boris Johnson calls a:

"great new deal"

on Brexit with the European Union earlier today.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage is reacting on his Twitter account saying the 'new deal' is not Brexit.   Farage is advocating a General Election and an extension of the deadline for Brexit of October 31st......NIGEL FARAGE TWITTER

In a video posted on Twitter Farage says that if Parliament approves the deal and he suspects it won't, it would be:

"Brexit In Name Only"

Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn pushing for a confirmatory referendum on the "deal".   Corbyn calling the deal a "sell out".

Leader of the pro-EU anti-Brexit Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson calls it a "dressed-up Theresa May deal".

 As was the case with the previous Prime Minister Theresa May and a previous "deal" with the EU Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, is again clearly rejecting the deal which tends to lock in a closer connection to Ireland instead of the United Kingdom.

There was quick approval of the "new deal" today at the EU leaders meeting.

The BBC's political blog is following the story.....LINK

FROM THE POLITICAL DRAMA IN WASHINGTON US AMBASSADOR TO THE EUROPEAN UNION GORDON SONDLAND TELLING THE HOUSE 'IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY' TODAY THERE WAS NO QUID PRO QUO IN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DEALINGS WITH UKRAINE LINKING AID TO INVESTIGATION OF BIDEN FAMILY BUSINESS DEALINGS.

THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS CORPS GOING AFTER CHIEF OF STAFF MICK MULVANEY FOR COMMENTS HE MADE DURING A BRIEFING OF REPORTERS TODAY.

THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA SAYING MULVANEY LINKED US AID TO UKRAINE TO AN INVESTIGATION BY UKRAINE OF THE ORIGINS OF THE RUSSIAN COLLUSION INVESTIGATION INVOLVING PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS 2016 CAMPAIGN.

MULVANEY CLARIFYING HIS REMARKS TO MAKE IT CLEAR HE WAS STATING THAT THERE WAS NO QUID PRO QUO FOR US AID TO UKRAINE INVOLVING UKRAINE INVESTIGATING UKRAINIAN ORIGINS OF THE RUSSIAN COLLUSION ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS CAMPAIGN.

US ENERGY SECRETARY RICK PERRY WILL RESIGN.  THE FORMER TEXAS GOVERNOR URGED  PRESIDENT TRUMP TO TALK DIRECTLY WITH UKRAINE'S PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY.     THAT LED TO THE PHONE CALL THAT BECAME A BASIS FOR THE 'IMPEACHEMENT INQUIRY' INVOLVING THE PRESIDENT.

"Let's work out a good deal"

was what President Trump wrote in a letter to the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urging him not to launch military action in northeastern Syria.   

The letter dated last Thursday did not sway Erdogan who is reported to have thrown it in the trash can.

BUT THERE WAS A DEAL TODAY AFTER TALKS INVOLVING VICE-PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE, SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO AND TURKISH PRESIDENT ERDOGAN.

THE DEAL IS A FIVE DAY CEASE FIRE TO ENABLE A PEACEFUL WITHDRAWAL OF KURDISH FORCES FROM THE 'SAFE ZONE' DECLARED BY TURKEY IN NORTHEASTERN SYRIA.  SOME AREAS OF THE 'SAFE ZONE' ARE ALREADY OCCUPIED BY SYRIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES AND IN SOME CASES RUSSIAN MILITARY POLICE.

THE KURDISH 'SYRIAN DEMOCRATIC FORCES' SAYING THEY WILL ACCEPT THE CEASE-FIRE BUT ONLY MENTIONING AREAS WHERE THERE'S HEAVY FIGHTING.

TURKEY VIEWING THE FIVE DAY PERIOD AS A CESSATION OF THE MILITARY OPERATION INSTEAD OF A CEASE-FIRE.

The Syrian government news agency reporting  "several cases of chemical burns" caused by Turkish shelling from "unknown chemical substances".  This story published today by SANA News Agency.....LINK

Iran's "Press TV" reporting this as Breaking News.....LINK

This was published on a Kurdish website today, a story headlined:  "Turkish use of chemical weapons protested in Germany"......LINK

And the Syrian Democratic Forces communications chief tweeted today that SDF suspects use of "non-conventional weapons" in the city of Ras al-Ayn in Syria.

The Turks reported to be using intense air strikes to propel their advance in the Ras al-Ayn area.

Democrat Congressman Elijah Cummings of Maryland is dead at the age of 68.

Cummings had several health problems including heart related issues in recent years.

A brutal hammer attack on a democracy activist in Hong Kong today.    Jimmy Sham approached by five men who beat him bloody leaving him lying in the street.

Sham was taken to a hospital and was conscious.    He said later that he remained committed to "peaceful non-violence".

Meanwhile at the territory's legislature opposition lawmakers dragged from the chamber by security guards today as they heckled the Beijing appointed leader of the territory, Carrie Lam.

Quim Torra, the President of Catalonia, says the violent acts committed during demonstrations this week are the result of "infiltrators" getting involved.

Catalan leaders have urged peaceful and non-violent protests in the wake of the Spanish Supreme Court's Monday sentencing of nine Catalan leaders involved in the 2017 independence referendum to a combined 100 years in prison.

Speaking in the Catalan parliament today President Torra called for a new referendum on independence from Spain.

Police reinforcements en route to Catalonia with Spain's Interior Minister saying they will improve the security situation and provide rest to police already involved in opposing the massive demonstrations across the region.

Friday is a day designated for a general strike in the region with a massive protest rally in the capital Barcelona.

Clashes between police and demonstrators on the streets of the city Thursday night.   Here is video mainly of fires set by protesters......LINK   This is a shorter video of clashes....LINK

Live Video from "Ruptly" of today's protest in Barcelona......LINK

The House voted 354 to 60  Wednesday to oppose the withdrawal of US troops from northeastern Syria and the Turkish military operation there.

The vote a move by the Democrat controlled House to embarrass President Trump.    Many Republicans joined the Democrats in support of the resolution but who didn't was Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

Massie tweeted:

"Congress never voted to send troops to Syria, but in five minutes we will be voting on a resolution that disapproves of Trump removing them.   We should never have gone to Syria.    We should leave Syria.    I'm voting no on this resolution"-LINK

Also in support of President Trump decision Republican US Senate candidate for 2020 Judge Roy Moore.

Moore tweeted:

"Under Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution the President, as Commander in Chief, has every right and authority to order the withdrawal of troops from Syria"-LINK

The White House announced Thursday to the consternation of the mainstream media that the G 7 summit next June will be held at the National Doral Miami.     Its a property owned by President Donald Trump.   Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney facing the media for the announcement.

Former President Barack Obama endorsing Canada's current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for re-election.

Canadians going to the polls Monday.

Trudeau was dogged by a blackface controversy with pictures and video surfacing of him during the election campaign.

Activist Ezra Levant of "Rebel Media" in Canada posted this on his Twitter feed....LINK

The four polls published on Tuesday showed a close contest that will likely not leave either Trudeau's Liberals or the Conservatives of opposition leader Andrew Scheer with a majority in the House of Commons.

"Enough"

seemed to be the message conveyed by commuters today when a subway train in London was targeted by "Extinction Rebellion" climate change protesters who put themselves on the roof of the train.

The commuters climbed up and pulled down the protesters.

The BBC published this video of the incident.......LINK

And for now that's the way it really is Thursday October 17th, 2019

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT WEDNESDAY 10/16/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY)

Optimism about a "deal" between the European Union and the United Kingdom from various quarters today including Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and EU negotiator Michel Barnier.

Boris Johnson's government heading for some sort of "compromise" that he has spoken of in recent weeks.

Late Wednesday the process of arm twisting the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland into agreeing to a "compromise" that will compromise the North's border with Ireland is in full swing  along with Brexit supporters in the Conservative Party.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson bringing these people together for the arm twisting.

As of early Thursday morning in the UK still no word of any "deal" but matters could change in the next 24 hours as we move into Friday.

A process of approval of the deal expected to materialize into the Newdsump weekend with EU approval by Friday and a special session of Parliament on Saturday for approval.

With the only options being a "deal" or delay Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage wants a delay so a General Election can be held with the "No Deal" option on the table for voters to decide.

An Arab newspaper "Asharq al-Awsat" reporting that the Saudi military coalition and Yemen's Southern Transitional Council are expected to sign a deal to end the infighting between the Saudi coalition and the United Arab Emirates backed STC.

Fighting between the two sides has broken out repeatedly and the Saudis hope a deal will strengthen the fight against the Iranian backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

HERE IN THE USA A DEAL BETWEEN THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS AND GENERAL MOTORS AFTER A MONTH LONG STRIKE.   THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WILL NOW GO THROUGH A UNION RATIFICATION PROCESS.  TERRY DITTES, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UAW, SAYS THE AGREEMENT WOULD BRING 'MAJOR GAINS' FOR WORKERS.

The Syrian military has reached the city of Kobani in northeastern Syria which is on the Turkish border and was to be part of the "safe zone" to be established by Turkey with its military operation in northeastern Syria.

South of Kobani on Wednesday two US aircraft launched an airstrike to destroy an ammunition storage area at an old cement factory that was used by US forces that have now left Kobani.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the quickest way to end the fighting in northeastern Syria is for the Kurdish forces to "drop their weapons" and leave the "safe zone" Turkey is establishing inside Syria on its northeastern border.

Those were his comments today.

A high level US delegation in Turkey to urge a cease-fire today including US Vice-President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien.

O'Brien met with the Turkish Foreign Minister during the day Wednesday.

Pence expected to meet Erdogan on Thursday.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdgoan speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone Tuesday.    The two leaders discussing the Turkish military operation in Syria with the "need to prevent conflicts" between Syrian army troops advancing from the south and the invading Turkish forces from the north said to have been on the agenda.

Erdogan said to have accepted an offer to visit Russia which he may take up in the days ahead.

More from Russia's Tass News Agency.......LINK

In Washington Wednesday a vote by the House condemning the withdrawal of US troops from northesastern Syria and the Turkish military operation.   The vote 354 to 60.

The protests continuing in Catalonia Wednesday with a high speed rail line and highways blocked.

Independence supporters protesting the sentences of the Spanish Supreme Court of 100 years in prison for nine Catalan leaders involved in the 2017 independence referendum.

Protesters marching from across the region into the capital of Barcelona for a major rally tomorrow.

Street battles occurred on the streets of Barcelona Wednesday night leading the pro-independence president of the region Quim Torra to call for an end to violent acts of protest.

He rode on a while horse on the mountain that his father is said to have been born on.   Pictures released of North Korea's ruler Kim Jong-un creating speculation that a major move is coming from North Korea.

The BBC offers its spin of this news.....LINK

The sentence handed down in the controversial federal fraud case against Rick Koerber.      The federal government bringing the case to trial multiple times including after Koerber actively helped the Bundy family in the Bunkerville and Oregon Standoff cases.

Ammon Bundy on hand in support of Koerber outside the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City Tuesday afternoon.

Bundy saying he believes Koerber was targeted for being in opposition to the former Utah governor and prominent moderate Republican Jon Huntsman and for consistently opposing the Republican Establishment in Utah.

Here is video of the rally and Ammon Bundy speaking about the matter....LINK

Inside the courtroom those said to been defrauded by Koerber asking the judge for a lenient sentence with decision to imprison him for 14 years and two months.

Koerber intending to appeal his conviction.

President Trump made an offer to a British couple whose son was killed in a traffic accident when his motorcycle was hit by a US diplomat's wife driving on the wrong side of the road.

Tim Dunn and Charlotte Charles came to the White House meeting the President seeking to have Anne Sacoolas return to the UK to face charges in the death of Harry Dunn.

They were told Sacoolas was at the White House as well to meet them, but they refused the meeting, caught by surprise at the President's offer of the meeting.

National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien was at the meeting and said emphatically that Anne Sacoolas will not return to the UK.

ABC from Australia reports on this story.....LINK

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders on the stage for the Democrat presidential candidates debate Tuesday night asked about his health follow a recent heart attack but countering with annoucement of a major rally in Queens, New York.

Word out that the rally will feature Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with an endorsement of Sanders.   Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota also endorsing Sanders with an endorsement said to be on the way from Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.

Offering the view of the situation from Israel is "Israel National News"........LINK



And for now that's the way it  really is for Wednesday October 16th, 2019.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT TUESDAY 10/15/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH LATE TUESDAY WITH FINAL POSTS AROUND 1215-1230 AM)

The political drama in Washington and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying that the "impeachment inquiry" will continue and rejecting the notion of a House floor vote to authorize it as was done in the cases of former presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton.

President Trump saying that the lack of a vote by the full House means that the process currently underway is not a legitimate one.

Pelosi  saying that so far in the process:

"all roads lead to"

Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Tonight Russia is agreeing with the United States that the Turkish military operation in northeastern Syria is "unacceptable".

Those the words of the Russian special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev.

Lavrentyev also saying that any clashes between the Turkish and Syrian forces would be:

"simply unacceptable....and therefore we will not allow it"

The Pentagon is saying that US military assets like F-15 aircraft and Apache helicopters are ready to defend the safety of US forces as they withdrawal from northeastern Syria.

Its being said that Turkish backed militants have been threatening US forces.

Vice-President Mike Pence headed to Turkey Wednesday hoping to put an end to the fighting in northeastern Syria.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkish forces have "liberated" a thousand square kilometer area of northeastern Syria from the:

"occupation of the separatist terror group"

the Kurdish PKK.

Erdogan spoke Tuesday at a regional meeting in Azerbaijan where he laid out the case for the Turkish military operation in northeastern Syria.

Erdogan also rejecting any notion of a ceasefire in his comments to reporters Tuesday.

More from the pro-government media outlet "Yeni Safak" in Turkey.....LINK

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman urged Turkey to stop its military incursion into Syria Tuesday

Turkey should "come back to the right track" according to the Chinese spokesman.

President Trump spoke to the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces leader on Monday.    More on this from "Kurdistan 24"......LINK

At this link is a situation map from "Southfront" showing the situation on the ground in northeastern Syria late on Tuesday.....SITUATION MAP LATE 10/15/2019

Opposition lawmakers shouted and jeered as the Beijing appointed leader of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, made her annual address to the legislature where its now Wednesday.

Opposition lawmakers also projected the democracy protesters slogan:

"Five demands, not one less" 

on the wall behind her as she spoke.

The legislative session was adjourned twice because of the protests.

In Catalonia protests continued for a second day against the Spanish Supreme Court's 100 years of prison sentences for nine Catalan leaders involved in the 2017 independence referendum.

Demonstrations in Barcelona and other cities and towns across the region with police using rubber bullets and beating protesters in the legs.

This video posted by "Ruptly" showing a sit-in on the streets of Barcelona live as of 115 pm Eastern time US.......LINK

The government of Boris Johnson getting closer to a "deal" with the European Union ahead of an EU summit and a special session of Parliament on Saturday.

That is the reporting of the AFP News Agency from France......LINK

The Metropolitan Police in London have issued a ban on "Extinction Rebellion" protests that came into force at 9 pm local time Monday night.

Police began to remove protesters who were occupying Trafalgar Square in the center of London.

A police statement spoke of breaches of the Public Order Act and "ongoing serious disruption to the community".

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bringing up the case of an Israeli woman arrested on drug trafficking charges in Moscow earlier this year with Russia's Vladimir Putin today.   Netanyahu formally asking for a pardon.

Naama Issachar's case is believed linked to that of a Russian hacker being held in Israel and facing extradition to the United States.

Her lawyer says extradition of the hacker to the US would "complicate" her case.

"Ynet" in Israel has more on the story.......LINK

Democrats debated tonight, 12 of them who are running for President.  Elizabeth Warren took the brunt of attacks as she rides high in the polls.

But Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii went after the media outlets hosting the debate, CNN and the "New York Times".

She said their coverage of her has been:

"completely despicable"

She added:

Not only that, New York Times and CNN have also smeared veterans like myself for calling for an end to this regime change war"

Gabbard referring to the eight year old conflict in Syria.

She noted that the "Times" and CNN have both said in recent days that she is an:

"asset of Russia"

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

COMMENTARY

Nancy Pelosi, Lindsay Graham, John Bolton, Joe Biden and the list goes on all on the same page when it comes to Syria.  CNN and Fox News alike putting out the same kind of stories about the evils of the Assad regime etc. etc.

Who says there isn't a Uniparty in this country?

One should ask what foreign entity or entities enable this message and policy on Syria to thrive.   There's an awful lot of money on the south side of the Persian Gulf and it isn't Russian.

Vladimir Putin is there right now courting the cash from that region himself.

And for now that's the way it really is Tuesday October 15th, 2019.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT  MONDAY 10/14/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE WITH LATER IN THE DAY POSTING TO FILL OUT TODAY'S SUMMARY)

As the US forces move out of northeastern Syria for their safety the Syrian army is moving in to a potential confrontation with Turkish forces and militants aligned with Turkey.

Syrian forces already reaching the city of Manbij as they advance into the Kurdish territories.

Kurdish leaders agreeing to the deployment of Syrian government forces in the face of the Turkish attack on northeastern Syria.

The "Syrian Democratic Forces" commander Mazlum Abdi wrote in "Foreign Policy":

"If we have to choose between compromises and the genocide of our people, we will surely choose life for our people"

President Trump saying that a:

"small footprint"

of US military forces will remain in southern Syria in the name of fighting ISIS.

And President Trump also announcing sanctions on Turkey Monday including higher tariffs on steel in response to the Turkish military action.  Also sanctioned two Turkish government ministries and three senior government officials.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SPOKE BY PHONE WITH TURKISH PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN MONDAY AND WANTS A CEASE-FIRE, AN END TO TURKISH MILITARY OPERATIONS AND NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE KURDS.

VICE-PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE LEADING A US DELEGATION THAT WILL TRAVEL TO THE REGION.

The Russian Tass News Agency reporting that the US moved wives of foreign mercenaries who fought along ISIS out of Syria to Iraq....LINK

An Afghan man wielding a knife wounded a staff member at a refugee center in Austria today, then killed a nearby resident and stole his car.

The suspect taken into custody in Linz, Austria later.

Here's what Reuters published about the story.......LINK

"an atrocity"

The words of the exiled former President of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, in response to the Spanish Supreme Court sentences of 12 former Catalonian officials who participated in the 2017 referendum that approved independence from Spain.

Three were fined for "disobedience" and nine others were handed prison terms ranging from nine to 13 years.

Puigdemont called on Catalonians to respond to the sentencing:

"Now more than ever.....it is time to react like never before"

Spain issued a new arrest warrant for Puigdemont in the aftermath of his comments.

Protesters on the streets of the Catalan capital of Barcelona following today's sentencing.   A video feed from "Ruptly"......LINK

Protesters clashed with police at the airport in Barcelona where tear gas was fired and there were protests in the center of the city as well.   

37 injured in the protests and over 100 airline flights cancelled.

Protests continued into the evening and here is video from Barcelona tonight......LINK

The "throne speech" of Her Majesty the Queen laid out the agenda of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party government Monday with proposals to toughen environmental laws and ban trophy hunting, along with reforms of the National Health Service and tougher sentences for 3,000 crimes.

The Queen was accompanied by the Prince of Wales who sat next to her during the speech.

On Brexit she presented the Johnson's government's present position that it intends to leave the European Union by October 31st and said the government is committed to passing Brexit related legislation.

The Brexit portion of her speech from the BBC News website.......LINK

(COMMENT AND ANALYSIS)

The Johnson government moving forward with talks with the European Union leading to the EU leaders summit Thursday and Friday as we enter the Newsdump Weekend.    A special Newsdump Weekend session of Parliament ahead on Saturday that will either approve a "deal" on Brexit or extend the October 31st Brexit deadline that Johnson has insisted is a firm one.

The Brexit sellout through either a deal or delay is in the cards.    We are approaching three and a half years since voters approved a clean break with the European Union without a clean break materializing.

Here in the USA the police officer involved in the early Saturday morning shooting incident that killed 28 year old Atatiana Jefferson in Fort Worth, Texas booked into jail on a murder charge Monday afternoon.

34 year old Aaron Dean resigned his position earlier.

His resignation coming hours before he was to be fired.  Dean being held in lieu of 200-thousand dollars bail.

Officers responded to the Jefferson's home when a neighbor called police because of an open door.

Police yelled through a window for Jefferson to raise her hands, then Dean opened fire.

Emotions running high in Portland, Oregon as homicide detectives investigate the death of a left-wing activist struck by an SUV early Saturday morning.    

23 year old Sean D. Kealiher run down just after he left a left-wing bar.   The scene of his death just outside the Democratic Party of Oregon headquarters.

A memorial to Kealiher now includes grafitti on the Democrat headquarters including anarchist and antifa symbols.

More from "OregonLive"......LINK

When the votes were counted in Poland today the Law and Justice Party, called "populist" and "right wing" in mainstream media reports, winning 235 of the 460 seats in the lower house of parliament for a majority, but only 49 of the 100 seats in the Senate.   

The Senate has limited powers but could block Law and Justice's efforts unless Law and Justice can convince some senators to switch sides.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin visiting Saudi Arabia.    Tass News Agency reporting that Putin discussed military cooperation with King Salman.   Meanwhile, the country's de-facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman inviting Russian investment in "the Kingdom".

Putin moving on next to the United Arab Emirates.

And for now that's the way it really is Monday October 14th, 2019.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT SUNDAY 10/13/2019

BREAKING NEWS:  A DEAL REACHED IN ECUADOR TONIGHT BETWEEN PRESIDENT LENIN MORENO AND OPPOSITION LEADERS OF INDIGENOUS GROUPS.

PROTESTS ARE TO END IN THE STREETS AND THE AUSTERITY MEASURES IMPOSED UNDER AN INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND LOAN PACKAGE ARE BEING WITHDRAWN.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN SPANISH MADE BY A UNITED NATIONS MEDIATOR AT 1040 PM EASTERN US TIME TONIGHT......LINK

A relative calm on the littered streets of Ecuador's capital Quito with military forces and police deployed as the government and opposition leaders get ready to talk about the austerity measures that led to nationwide protests ending up with assaults on government buildings in the capital city in recent days.

Six reported dead and over 1000 injured with hundreds of arrests.

President Lenin Moreno ordered a curfew in the capital Saturday afternoon and on Sunday police dispersed a group of demonstrators still committed to building a street barricade.

Reporting from "BNN Bloomberg" is that the curfew is currently being defied in the sense that people in the city of Quito are going about normal tasks on the streets.    Here is the "Bloomberg" report on Ecuador......LINK

Government officials said later in the day a partial lifting of the curfew in southern parts of the city is in effect until 8 pm local time but remains in force round the clock in the northern parts of the city.

The AFP News Agency from France posted this video of Quito, Ecuador today....LINK

"Ruptly" also posting a live video showing the fires set in the streets today apparently from the committed core of protesters that took to the streets.....RUPTLY LIVE VIDEO QUITO 10/13/2019

It was a weekend of subdued protest in Hong Kong, but China's president offered up tough remarks on a visit to Nepal.

President Xi Jinping saying that any attempt to cause division in China will lead to:

"crushed bodies and shattered bones"

EXTRA POLICE DEPLOYED IN CATALONIA AMID CONCERN OVER THE VERDICTS FOR 12 LEADERS OF THE REGION.

THEY'VE  BEEN TRIED BY SPAIN'S SUPREME COURT FOR CHARGES RANGING FROM SEDITION TO REBELLION AND MISUSE OF FUNDS FOR CARRYING OUT A 2017 REFERENDUM THAT APPROVED INDEPENDENCE FROM SPAIN.

THE BBC HAS MORE ON THIS.......LINK

The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying that if anyone things arms embargoes and other sanctions will stop its military operation in Syria they are:

"wrong"

The Turkish president speaking in Istanbul also rejecting any offers of mediation with the Kurdish side.     The Turks consider the Kurdish military groups to be terrorists.

The fighting continues in northeastern Syria with mainstream media focusing on the escape of ISIS family members from a detention camp following a Turkish air attack.

The Kurdish view of the situation is on the "Kurdistan 24" website.....LINK

Sanctions under review in Washington right now with President Trump saying he is working with Congress on sanctions involving Turkey.

US military forces pulled back from northern Syria for safety but remaining firmly positioned in the south of that country.

Another significant development related to Syria is the agreement between the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government of Bashar Assad that will place Russian and Syrian military forces in the cities of Kobani and Manbij in northern Syria.

Syria also saying their forces will move further into the northeast to face off against the advancing Turkish forces.

Acting US Defense Secretary Mark Esper says it appears Turkey is widening the scope of its military operations in Syria beyond what its original stated intentions were.

The Russian-Syrian presence appears designed to prevent any Turkish incursion into the area.

This story reported by "The Defense Post".......LINK

More analysis and commentary on the Syrian military intervention in Syria's northeast from the "Sic Semper Tyrannis" blog......LINK

Joe Biden's son Hunter stepping down from the board of a Chinese company amidst the political drama in Washington where President Trump's discussion of Biden family activities with Ukraine's president led to the House Democrats "impeachment inquiry".

Hunter Biden will resign by October 31st from his position on the board of the BHR (Shanghai)  Equity Investment Fund Management Company.

British Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, identified in mainstream media as a "staunch Brexiteer" during the Brexit controversies in recent years, is coming out for a "compromise" and a "deal" with the European Union.    

Rees-Mogg came out for compromise with the EU instead of a total withdrawal writing in the "Sunday Telegraph".

Meanwhile Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaking of:

"a way forward"

with the EU that may:

"secure all our interests"

The Japanese military involved in search and rescue operations in the wake of Typhoon Hagibis that caused widespread flooding and landslides in central and eastern Japan.

37 are now reported dead because of the storm that struck on Saturday.

NHK in Japan updates the story with embedded video.....LINK

Police in Fort Worth, Texas releasing footage of an incident early Saturday morning when a woman was shot dead by police through a window.

The police called when a neighbor became concerned about an open door.

A black woman, 28 year-old Atatiana Jefferson, killed in the incident.

An officer called on her to put her hands up before he fired through the bedroom window.

The story as interpreted by the BBC with the edited police video embedded......LINK

The Polish election Sunday and the exit poll information released tonight indicates a big win for the Law and Justice Party.

43.6 percent of the popular vote and 239 seats in the lower house of Parliament is projected.    That's an absolute majority in the 460 seat lower house.

The votes will not be counted until tomorrow.

Jaroslaw Kazcynski, the Law and Justice leader, saying he hopes the real votes confirm the exit poll and saying that Poland "must change" and "must change for the better".

And for now that's the way it really is on Sunday October 13th, 2019.