Sunday, April 19, 2026

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT SUNDAY 4/19/2026*NEWSDUMP WEEKEND*'PRO-RUSSIA' WINNER BULGARIA ELECTION*IRAN WAR MESSAGING*NETANYAHU TRIAL TESTIMONY DELAYED*NETANYAHU CALLED TO ACCOUNT 'SECOND HOLOCAUST'*MINNSOTA GOV. SLAMS TRUMP IN SPAIN*US SANCTIONS SUDAN CIVIL WAR*TRUMP BIBLE READING*

 


(SERVICE AS ABLE WITH PERONAL COMMITMENTS LIMITING SERVICE)




IN SHREVEPORT LOUISIANA EIGHT CHILDREN SHOT DEAD, TWO WOMEN WOUNDED ONE CRTICALLY WITH HEAD WOUND.


THE SUSPECT BELIEVED TO BE THE FATHER OF SOME OF THE MURDERED CHILDREN.


HE WAS SHOT DEAD BY POLICE...KSLA 12 NEWS




RUMEN RADEV'S 'PRO-RUSSIA' PARTY PROJECTED TO WIN BULGARIAN ELECTION


                                              (UPDATED AS ABLE)



The eighth Bulgarian election in five years today. 


In this election the new "Progressive Bulgaria" Party of resigned President Rumen Radev contesting for the first time.


Radev described as "Pro-Russian" his party led public opinion polls prior to today's vote.



The exit polls tonight showing Radev's "PB" Party the clear winner one poll giving his party 38.9 percent, the other 37.5 percent.



Mr. Radev speaking of a willingness to work with different factions on forming a new government...



                            Politico EU


Wikipedia 2026 Bulgarian parliamentary election




IRAN SAYS IT'S NOT INVOLVED IN ANY SECOND ROUND OF TALKS WITH THE UNITED STATES CITING 'WASHINGTON'S EXCESSIVE DEMANDS'...AL JAZEERA QATAR BLOG...




PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS US NEGOTIATORS ARE HEADING TO ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN FOR TALKS WITH IRAN...DAWN PAKISTAN




THE TESTIMONY OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AT HIS CORRUPTION TRIAL CANCELLED FOR THIS WEEK.


HIS LAWYERS SAID CANCELLATION WAS NEEDED FOR 'DIPLOMATIC AND SECURITY' REASONS.


ANOTHER WITNESS IN THE TRIAL WILL TESTIFY TOMORROW.


THE CONFLICTS IN GAZA, LEBANON AND IRAN HAVE DISRUPTED NETANYAHU'S TESTIMONY AT THE POINT WHERE HE IS UNDER CROSS-EXAMINATION BY PROSECUTORS...TIMES OF ISRAEL 




North Korea test fired multiple missiles this morning.   The missile launches from the east coast eastwards into the East Sea (Sea of Japan).


The missiles flew 140 kilometers or 90 miles.  North Korea is believed to have a submarine base in the port where the missile launches occurred...ABC News USA




"After two and a half years of war, the country is not grand.  It's crumbling and that's on you"


THE MESSAGE OF OFRI BIBAS WHOSE RELATIVES DIED IN CAPTIVITY IN GAZA.


ITS A MESSAGE AIMED AT ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU.  MR. BIBAS ALSO SAID:


"Prime Minister, a second Holocaust happened to my family, it happened to us"


IN A HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY SPEECH LAST MONDAY MR. NETANYAHU JUSTIFIED THE IRAN WAR ON GROUNDS OR PREVENTING 'A SECOND HOLOCAUST'.


BILBAS'S SPEECH PART OF A RALLY IN TEL AVIV SATURDAY NIGHT CALLING FOR AN INDEPENDENT PROBE OF THE HAMAS ATTACK ON ISRAEL IN OCTOBER OF 2023.


SUCH A PROBE RESISTED BY MR. NETANYAHU...TIMES OF ISRAEL



On social media Saturday night US President Donald Trump saluting Israel as a "GREAT ally of the United States of America".


He also said in that post:  "Israel fights hard and knows how to WIN!...Truth Social Post...



                              (COMMENT)



Is this post a prelude to Israel resuming hostilities against Iran in an extremely violent way to seek a change of its existing government?



This weekend "Left" leaders coming together for a summit in Barcelona, Spain called the "Global Progressive Mobilization". 


Three of them Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Brazilian President Lula da Silva and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticizing the US for causing a humanitarian crisis in Cuba.


They pledged more humanitarian aid for Cuba following the US cutoff of oil supplies formerly sent by Venezuela and the US pressure that led Mexico to stop supplying oil to Cuba...NOS Netherlands (Translation Prompt)...



Speaking at the event Democrat Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaking of a 'consolidation of power' surrounding President Donald Trump.


He spoke of 'fascism' or 'fascist-curious' in describing Mr. Trump's actions.


He condemned Trump as a 'feeble-minded, trigger-happy president who plunged us into a war where no threat was present, with no clear objectives and no exit plan'...The Hill USA



POPE LEO XIV WITH A STATEMENT SAYING HE DOES NOT SEEK A 'PUBLIC DEBATE' WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP NOTING IT IS 'NOT IN HIS INTEREST AT ALL'.


HE SAYS HIS RECENT REMARKS ARE NOT DIRECTED AT MR. TRUMP...





              ABC 7 CHICAGO VIDEO REPORT ON POPE'S REMARKS




SIX PEOPLE KILLED IN A MASS SHOOTING ATTACK IN KYIV.    10 OTHERS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL.


THE ATTACKER TOOK FOUR HOSTAGES AND WAS LATER SHOT DEAD BY UKRAINIAN POLICE WHEN HE HOLED UP IN A SUPERMARKET.


A TERRORISM INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY WITH THE DEAD ATTACKER DESCRIBED AS A 58-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM MOSCOW...ASSOCIATED PRESS-AL JAZEERA




The United States imposing sanctions on five individuals and entities associated with the civil war in Sudan.


State Department deputy spokesman Tommy Pigott speaking of 'the world's worst humanitarian crisis' in connection with the war now entering its fourth year.


He noted 150,000 deaths and 14 million refugees in connection the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.


The US calling on both sides of the conflict to accept an immediate three-month humanitarian truce...Anadolu Agency Turkey (Türkiye)




PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP RECORDING A SEGEMENT READING FROM THE BIBLE.


IT'S PART OF A WEEKLONG EVENT 'AMERICA READS THE BIBLE'.


THE PASSAGE MR. TRUMP READS IS FROM 2 CHRONICLES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE NOTION OF NATIONAL REPENTANCE...THE HILL USA

Saturday, April 18, 2026

NEXTRUSH UNPLUGGED WEEKEND*IRAN CLOSES STRAIT*WAR CONTINUES LEBANON*WHEN THE POPE WAS CALLED 'ANTICHRIST'*CHINESE CYANIDE PLOT?*GOOD TALK FOR $TOCKS BUT...*

 


               (SOME MATERIAL MAY BE DISTURBING OR OFFENSIVE)


(MATERIAL ADDED AS ABLE PERSONAL COMMITMENTS LIMITING ACTIVITY)



NEWSDUMP ALERT:  IRAN PROCLAIMING CLOSURE OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ SATURDAY LINKING THE DECISION TO THE US BLOCKADE OF IRANIAN PORTS...



                                    PRESS TV IRAN



NEWSDUMP ALERT: ISRAELI SHELLING ATTACKS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON BREAK CEASEFIRE


                                     Al Jazeera Qatar




NEWSDUMP ALERT: AN ATTACK ON FRENCH PEACEKEEPING TROOPS OF THE UN FORCE IN SOUTHERN LEBANON


ONE SOLDIER KILLED, THREE WOUNDED


FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON SAYING HEZBOLLAH WAS RESPONSIBLE WITH THE IRAN-ALIGNED GROUP DENYING ITS INVOLVEMENT...MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT TRACKER "X"...WAR NEWS BLOG-FRANCE 24





THE SUNDAY NEWS SUMMARY STARTS TO POST MIDNIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT EASTERN US TIME.




The Pope and the President has been news this week I grew up listening to Dr. Carl McIntire self-styled leader of a 20th Century Reformation against liberal Protestant theology.


One of his friends was from Northern Ireland and once his friend Dr. Ian Paisley said this to a Pope:


"I denounce you as Christ's enemy and Antichrist"


Legendary Northern Ireland preacher-politician Ian Paisley in the European Parliament on October 11, 1988 heckling Pope John Paul II...





The video here with Dr. Paisley holding a paper naming Pope John Paul II as "Antichrist"...






The events of recent weeks certainly create an atmosphere where the name "Antichrist" can be applied to individuals on all sides of the Iran War.



The "China War Update" let's listen to Randy Stonehill sing "China"...






Well first we had those elusive "Weapons of Mass Destruction" (WMD) used to justify a war in Iraq back in 2003.


For decades we had the notion of Iran developing a nuclear weapon in just weeks leading us to the Iran War of today.


And look out now China is getting demonized for allegedly using 'cyanide' to kill marine life in disputed islands in the South China Sea...



"Philippines accuses China of using cyanide to poison South China Sea atoll-Officials warn cyanide could harm marine and weaken the reef supporting a grounded warship"-Reuters-Al Jazeera Qatar



PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL GET HIS 'HUG' AND SAY ALL IS WELL WHEN HE MEETS PRESIDENT XI JINPING NEXT MONTH.


THAT TALK IS GOOD FOR BUSINE$$ THE $TOCK MARKET$ BUT THE REALITY SEEMS MORE OMINOUS AND SINISTER.


                         To our music let's have a "Jesus Music Revival" here...




"YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN BY LIVING LIKE HELL"-THE CHRISTIAN GRIT STREET BAND





                                              "LOVELY JESUS (HERE I AM)"-HONEYTREE




               "CHANGED INTO HIS IMAGE"-ERNIE RETTINO AND DEBBIE KERNER






                                                (MORE TO BE POSTED)

FRANCE YELLOW VESTS WEEK 385*EPSTEIN LINKED POLITICIAN DENIES CLOSE CONNECTION*CONTROVERSIAL ANTISEMITISM LAW PULLED BACK TEMPORARILY*TENSIONS WITH ISRAEL*DEGAULLE REMEMBERED*FRANCE EDGING INTO IRAN WAR?*

 

                (NEWS, COMMENT AND ANALYSIS WITH MAINSTREAM MEDIA SOURCES)



He's mentioned 673 times in the US Justice Department's files on Jeffrey Epstein but the former head of the Arab World Institute Jack Lang painting a limited picture of his dealings with Epstein.


Lang, who is a former Culture Minister, speaking of once or twice a year in person contact with Epstein.   Mr. Lang interviewed by media outlet "Le Parisien".


France's National Financial Prosecutor's Office conducting a preliminary investigation over financial ties between Lang and Epstein.


The probe centered on the notion of 'laundering aggravated tax fraud'...


                     BFM-TV France Story (Translation Prompt)



IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY A CONTROVERSIAL 'ANTISEMITISM' LAW PULLED BACK FROM CONSIDERATION FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.


THE BILL CRITICIZED BY PARTIES ON THE LEFT AS AN ATTACK ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH TO CRITICIZE ISRAEL FOR ITS TREATMENT OF PALESTINIANS.


THE PROPOSAL ORIGINATED FROM JEWISH LAWMAKER CAROLINE YADAN OF THE 'ENSEMBLE' PARTY ONE OF THE 'MODERATE' FACTIONS SUPPORTING PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON.


YADAN HAS BEEN CRITICAL OF PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON'S DECISION TO RECOGNIZE A PALESTINIAN STATE.


THE LEGISATION FIRST PROPOSED IN NOVEMBER 2024 WAS DESCRIBED AS A WAY TO COMBAT 'NEW FORMS' OF ANTISEMITISM CONNECTED TO ISRAEL'S WAR IN GAZA FOLLOWING THE HAMAS ATTACK OF OCTOBER 7, 2023.


HER BILL IS TO COME BACK TO FRENCH LAWMAKERS IN JUNE VIA THE SENATE...


"France's controversial antisemitism bill withdrawn, new draft law expected late June"-ANADOLU AGENCY TURKEY (TURKIYE)



As Israel and the US align themselves with Lebanese government officials not affiliated with Hezbollah to push its defeat and disarming France finds itself on the sidelines of the conflict in its former colonial territory.


Another sign of Israel distancing itself from France is an end to Israeli arms purchases from French companies...



"Israel boxes Paris out of Lebanon talks, halts arms buys as French disconnect grows"--Times of Israel



70 years ago France was closely aligned with Israel providing jet warplanes to boost the Israeli assault on Egypt supporting a failed British-French attempt to retake the Suez Canal.


The Suez Crisis and the Algerian War led to the rise of Charles De Gaulle and his sometime ruthless leadership to restore a sense of French pride and independence from the US.


A biography of De Gaulle was published in the last decade authored by Julian Jackson and reviewed by British journalist Peter Hitchens in 2019...



     "A Certain Idea Of France"-First Things April 1, 2019




IN SOUTHERN LEBANON ONE FRENCH UN SOLDIER KILLED AND THREE OTHERS WOUNDED IN AN ATTACK THAT PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON QUICKLY BLAMED ON THE IRAN-ALIGNED HEZBOLLAH MOVEMENT...LE MONDE FRANCE...


HEZBOLLAH DENYING ITS INVOLVEMENT...PRESS TV IRAN...


MEANWHILE IT'S BEEN REVEALED IN 'LE JOURNAL DU DIMANCHE' THAT ABOUT 80 IRANIAN DRONES WERE DESTROYED IN THE IRAN WAR BY THE FRENCH MILITARY.


THE COST OF MISSILES FIRED FROM WARPLANES MENTIONED IN THE STORY FRANCE IS KNOWN TO HAVE A MILITARY BASE IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES WHICH CAME UNDER EXTENSIVE ATTACK BY IRAN IN THE WAR...TASS RUSSIA



                                                  For now that's news from France.


Friday, April 17, 2026

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT 4/17/2026*NEWSDUMP FRIDAY*LAWYER SEES TRUMP PARDON MAXWELL*IRAN: TRUMP'S 7 FALSE CLAIMS*SOMALIA WARNING POINTS ISRAEL*EPSTEIN CONTROVERSY CALLS FOR STARMER QUIT*10-DAY FISA EXTENSION*US, IRAN PROCLAIM HORMUZ OPEN*IN SPITE OF DANGER THOUSANDS RETURN HOME IN LEBANON*CHINA TOUTS 5 PERCENT GROWTH*JET FUEL SHORTAGE HINGES ON HORMUZ OPENING*

 


       (SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING TILL 11 PM OR LATER)


       (MORE STORIES ADDING IN LOWER SECTION AS WELL AS UPPER SECTION)




                 LATE NEWS TONIGHT:




THE LAWYER FOR JEFFREY EPSTEIN ASSOCIATE GHISLAINE MAXWELL THINKS PRESIDENT TRUMP IS LIKELY TO PARDON HER.


DAVID OSKAR MARKUS, A LAWYER CALLED A 'DISCIPLE' OF JEFFREY EPSTEIN ASSOCIATE LEGAL SCHOLAR ALAN DERSHOWITZ, SAYS MAXWELL WAS A 'SCAPEGOAT'.


MARKUS URGING MAXWELL TO BE PATIENT IN WAITING FOR A PARDON.   


SHE WAS TRANSFERRED FROM A FEDERAL PRISON TO A MORE RELAXED FEDERAL PRISON CAMP LAST YEAR.


PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS NOT RULED OUT A PARDON WHILE SAYING HE HAS NOT GIVEN IT MUCH THOUGHT...THE INDEPENDENT UK




The US Air Force meeting its recruiting goal for the 2026 fiscal year five months ahead of schedule.


More than 32,750 recruits signed up for the Air Force with the Space Force also meeting its recruiting goal of 730...Task And Purpose USA





THE US EXTENDING ITS EASING OF SANCTIONS ON RUSSIAN OIL FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS.


RUSSIAN OIL WILL BE FREE FROM US URKAINE WAR RELATED SANCTIONS UNTIL MAY 16TH...RIA NOVOSTI RUSSIA (TRANSLATION PROMPT)



"The US President made seven claims in the span of one hour, all seven of which are false"


Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher-Ghalibaf disputing claims made by President Donald Trump earlier today.


Those claims in the hours after US stock markets opened and in the closing hours of oil trading for the week.


The notion that Iran will never close the Strait of Hormuz again one of the Trump claims disputed.


The Iranian parliament speaker saying 'if the blockade continues, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open'.


He also noted: "Whether the strait remains open or closed, and the rules governing it will be determined on the battlefield, not on social media"...Press TV Iran




PRESIDENT TRUMP SPEAKING OF ENDING 10 WARS IN A POLITICAL SPEECH TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN ARIZONA...BRIAN KRASSENSTEIN "X" (Trump Video Embed)




INSIDER MEDIA OUTLET 'AXIOS' REPORTING ON A MEETING IN HAVANA LAST FRIDAY.


IT INVOVED US STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS AND THE GRANDSON OF FORMER CUBAN RULER RAUL CASTRO, BROTHER OF LONGTIME RULER FIDEL CASTRO... MARC CAPUTO "AXIOS" "X"





A judge in Los Angeles ruling that actor Alec Baldwin can be sued for emotional distress and negligence in connection with the deadly 2021 shooting incident on a movie set.


The lawsuit coming from gaffer Serge Svetnoy who first filed it in November of 2021 following the incident on the set of the movie "Rust" in New Mexico.


Trial date for the suit set for October 12th with the possibility of a settlement before trial...NBC News USA




THE WHITE HOUSE UPBEAT FOLLOWING A MEETING WITH THE CEO OF AI CREATOR "ANTHROPIC".

THE COMPANY INVOLVED IN A DISPUTE OVER ALLOWING THE PENTAGON TO USE ITS AI.

THE MEETING CHARACTERIZED AS 'PRODUCTIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE'...THE HILL USA




An elderly French widow returning home to France following her detention at an ICE facility in Louisiana.


Marie-Therese Ross went through a change in immigration status following the death of her husband William Ross.


The couple married last year before Mr. Ross's death this year leading to a dispute over the estate with his sons.


French authorities intervened to gain her release from ICE custody...The Hill USA




FINNISH SECURITY FORCES CONTINUE VIGILANCE IN THE COUNTRY'S WATERS NEAR RUSSIA AS UKRAINIAN DRONES ATTACK RUSSIAN ENERGY FACILITIES.


FINLAND'S NAVY SAYS IT COULD HAVE TAKEN DOWN ONE OF THE DRONES WHEN A GROUP OF UKRAINIAN DRONES ENDED UP COMING DOWN INSIDE FINLAND RECENTLY...YLE FINLAND (TRANSLATION PROMPT)




"Any country interfering in Somalia's internal affairs and compromising its territorial integrity will face repercussions, including potential restrictions on access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait"


That post coming from a Somali diplomat in Ethiopia apparently directed at Israel.


Israel has recognized the northern part of Somalia as the independent nation of "Somaliland"...Tass Russia



IN THE UK CALLS FROM OPPOSITION POLITICIANS FOR PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER TO RESIGN.


THEY STAY STARMER APPEARS TO BE PASSING THE BLAME TO A SENIOR CIVIL SERVANT FOR NAMING JEFFREY EPSTEIN ASSOCIATE PETER MANDELSON AS AMBASSADOR TO THE US.


THIS HAPPENED IN SPITE OF MANDELSON FAILING TO GET A SECURITY CLEARANCE WHEN VETTED FOR THE POST...SKY NEWS UK BLOG



Warrantless spy powers under the "Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act"  (FISA) granted to the federal government for ten more days.


The legislation passed will allow time for some sort of long-term arrangement for the controversial spy powers to be approved by Congress and signed by President Trump...The Hill USA


ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND IRANIAN OFFICIALS INDICATING THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS OPEN.


THIS FOLLOWS THE CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCED AND IMPLEMENTED IN LEBANON.


IRAN SAYS COMMERCIAL VESSELS NOT MILITARY ONES CAN USE THE STRAIT.


MR. TRUMP PROCLAIMING PROGRESS WITH IRAN ON VARIOUS OUTSTANDING ISSUES EVEN ONES RELEATED TO NUCLEAR RESEARCH BY IRAN...NOS NETHERLANDS (TRANSLATION PROMPT)...PRESS TV IRAN


US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP DESCRIBES THE DISAPPEARANCES-DEATHS OF SCIENTISTS LINKED TO NATIONAL SECURITY RESEARCH AS 'PRETTY SERIOUS'.


MR. TRUMP HOLDING A MEETING ON THE ISSUE AT THE WHITE HOUSE YESTERDAY WITH AN INVESTIGATION NOW UNDERWAY...INDIA TODAY



The markets today.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 868.71 points or 1.79 percent.

The NASDAQ rose 365.78 points or 1.52 percent.

The price of oil closed in New York this evening at 85 dollars 57 cents a barrel down nine dollars 12 cents or 9.63 percent...Marketwatch




A FEDERAL PROSECUTOR IN FLORIDA NO LONGER LEADING THE CASE AGAINST FORMER CIA DIRECTOR JOHN BRENNAN.


BRENNAN SUSPECTED OF LYING TO CONGRESS IN RELATION TO ALLEGED RUSSIAN COLLUSION INVOLVING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.


PROSECUTOR MARIA MEDETIS LONG IS REPORTED TO HAVE TOLD THE US ATTORNEY FOR SOUTH FLORIDA SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO PROSECUTE BRENNAN...CBS NEWS USA




In Nigeria 17 students enroute to university entrance exams kidnapped.


A search and rescue operation launched with authorities not saying who they thought was responsible for the abduction...NEWS AGENCIES-DW GERMANY



Eight killed in a helicopter crash on the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo.   The chopper losing contact with ground control shortly after takeoff...SVT NEWS SWEDEN (TRANSLATION PROMPT)


MANY THOUSANDS OF LEBANESE FROM AMONG THE MORE THAN ONE MILLION REFUGEES WHO FLED THE ISRAELI ASSAULT HEADED BACK HOME TO SOUTHERN LEBANON.


THIS DESPITE WARNINGS FROM BOTH LEBANESE AND ISRAELI AUTHORITIES.



THEIR RETURN HOME FOLLOWED THE ANNOUNCED CEASEFIRE IN THE CONFLICT WITH HEZBOLLAH...NOS NETHERLANDS (TRANSLATION PROMPT)



In Myanmar military President Min Aung Hlaing issuing 4,435 pardons.   They include the former President Win Myint who was deposed in a 2021 coup.


It was previously revealed that the prison sentence of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and democracy activist, had been reduced by one-sixth...Al Jazeera Qatar


UKRAINIAN DRONES ATTACKING IN THE LENINGRAD REGION AROUND RUSSIA'S SECOND LARGEST CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG.

12 DRONES DOWNED BY AIR DEFENSES SOME DAMAGE REPORTED INCLUDING A FIRE IN A WAREHOUSE...RIA NOVOSTI RUSSIA (TRANSLATION PROMPT)


China touting five percent growth in its economy for the first quarter of 2026.


Some foreign observers suggested there would be a slowing of economic growth with the outbreak of the Iran War sometimes raised.


The total output of the world's second largest economy in the January-March quarter estimated at 4.87 trillion US dollars...Xinhua China



THE SUPPLY OF JET FUEL FOR AIRLINERS IN EUROPE ESTIMATED TO BE SIX WEEKS.


THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY SAYS ITS POSSIBLE SUPPLIES COULD REACH A CRITICIAL LEVEL IN JUNE UNLESS OIL SUPPLIES CUT OFF FROM THE MIDDLE EAST ARE REPLACED.


RE-OPENING THE CLOSED STRAIT OF HORMUZ CRUCIAL TO AVERTING A JET FUEL CRISIS...ASSOCIATED PRESS-ABC NEWS AUSTRALIA...



Dutch airline KLM canceling 80 flights next month within Europe.   Those flights not profitable due to rising fuel costs.


The airline has already imposed fuel surcharges on existing flights 100 Euros (117.81 US Dollars) for long distance hauls and 10 Euros (11.78 US Dollars) for routes in Europe...NOS Netherlands (Translation Prompt)...



Another negative impact of the Iran War has been a rise in mortgage interest rates in Denmark.  

The half-percentage point hike adding on average 630 to 720 kroner (99.35 to 113.54 US Dollars) more to monthly mortgage payments for Danes...Danmarks Radio Denmark (Translation Prompt)













Thursday, April 16, 2026

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT 4/16/2026*NEWSDUMP THURSDAY*EPSTEIN TOP BRITISH CIVIL SERVANT OUT*RUSSIAN OFFICIAL: TRUMP WILL NOT 'TAKE ALL THE OIL'*POPE: 'WOE TO THOSE WHO MANIPULATE RELIGION'*TRUMP TALKS LEBANON CEASEFIRE*CHINA DISPUTES TRUMP ON IRAN ARMS LETTERS*DEADLY RUSSIAN ATTACKS UKRAINE*SANDERS SENATE RESOLUTIONS OPPOSE ISRAEL AID*

 

(SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING LIMITED BY PERSONAL COMMITMENTS)



                   LATE NEWS TONIGHT:




THE ACTING HEAD OF US IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) IS LEAVING HIS POST.


TODD LYONS DEPARTING ON MAY 31ST.


THIS IS A FIRST MAJOR DECISION FROM NEW THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY MARKWAYNE MULLIN...THE HILL USA



Finland and the Baltic nations (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) warned about their connection to recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia.


Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu citing Article 51 of the UN charter giving Russia the right of self-defense.


There have been drone attacks in the St. Petersburg area of Russia by Ukrainian drones overflying those four nations...Tass Russia





NEW JEFFREY EPSTEIN RELATED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UK.


IT TURNED OUT THAT EPSTEIN ASSOCIATE PETER MANDELSON FAILED SECURITY CLEARANCE VETTING WHEN HE WAS BE NAMED AMBASSADOR TO THE US IN 2025.


BUT THE SECURITY SERVICES OVERRULED BY THE BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE...THE GUARDIAN UK...


TONIGHT THE TOP CIVIL SERVANT AT THE BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE SIR OLLY ROBBINS IS OUT.   


PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER AND HIS GOVERNMENT SAYING THE FOREIGN OFFICE MADE THE DECISION ON MANDELSON'S VETTING WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE...SKY NEWS UK BLOG




The markets today...Marketwatch



The former Democrat Lt. Governor of Virginia Justin Fairfax killing his wife Dr. Cerina Fairfax then taking his own life.


The murder-suicide in the couple's northern Virginia home amid an ongoing divorce dispute...WTVR Richmond



"One fellow from across the ocean says: 'We will come and take all the oil'..."


The outspoken Deputy Chairman of Russia's National Security Council commenting on US President Donald Trump's March 30th statement about preferring to 'take all the oil' from Iran.


Dmitry Medvedev messaging a notion no one will let Mr. Trump 'take all the oil everywhere'...Tass Russia




"#Peace is not something we must invent: it is something we must embrace by accepting our neighbor as a brother or sister...We are one family, inhabiting the same home: this wonderful planet that ancient cultures have cared for over millenia."


Part of the social media message of Pope Leo XIV as he continues his African trip visiting Cameroon...Pope Leo XIV "X"...


The Pontiff also posting this message on social media from his visit it says in part:


"Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military political or economic gain..."


                       Pope Leo XIV "X"



US President Donald Trump proclaiming a ten-day ceasefire in Lebanon.


Trump proclaiming it in connection with a conversation between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin.


Mr. Trump speaking of the notion of brokering talks at the White House involving Aoun and Netanyahu...

    LBC GROUP LEBANON (TRANSLATION PROMPT)



OSINTdefender "X" (Trump Social Media Embed)



THREE KILLED IN THE LATEST US MILITARY ATTACK IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC.  


A BOAT LINKED TO DRUG TRAFFICKING DESTROYED IN THE ATTACK, TRAFFICKING LABELED 'NARCO-TERRORISM' BY THE UNITED STATES...REUTERS-AL JAZEERA QATAR



The Chinese Foreign Ministry has no information about any exchange of letters between the US and China regarding weapons being provided to Iran.


Spokesman Guo Jiakun says the US and China maintain 'regular contacts' regarding next month's visit to China by President Donald Trump.


Yesterday Mr. Trump spoke of letters being exchanged between the US and China with President Xi Jinping saying China will not supply any weapons to Iran...Tass Russia





AT LEAST 16 KILLED IN RUSSIAN ATTTACKS ACROSS UKRAINE.


NINE DEATHS REPORTED IN THE SOUTHERN PORT CITY OF ODESSA.


HUNDREDS OF DRONES AND DOZENS OF MISSILES USED IN THE ATTACKS.


TWO KILLED IN A UKRAINIAN ATTACK ON THE SOUTHERN RUSSIAN PORT CITY OT TUPASE...NOS NETHERLANDS (TRANSLATION PROMPT)





In the US Senate many Democrats putting themselves on the record opposing US aid to Israel in this election year.


40 of the 47 Democrats supporting a resolution opposing sale of bulldozers to Israel.


36 of the Democrats opposing the sale of 1,000-pound bombs to Israel.


US Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont behind both resolutions...Associated Press USA-Times Of Israel





IN EL SALVADOR A NEW LAW ALLOWING 12-YEAR-OLDS TO BE SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON.


LIFE SENTENCES COULD BE IMPOSED FOR CRIMES LIKE HOMICIDE, TERRORISM OR RAPE.


THE NEW LAW THE LATEST IN AN ONGOING EFFORT BY THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT NAYIB BUKELE TO CRACKDOWN ON GANG VIOLENCE...REUTERS-AL JAZEERA QATAR





THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION (BBC) FACING LAYOFFS OF 1800-2000 EMPLOYEES TEN PERCENT OF ITS WORKFORCE.


THE CENTURY-OLD PUBLIC BROADCASTER NEEDS TO CUT 500 MILLION EUROS (590.3 MILLION DOLLARS) IN SPENDING OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.


THE MESSAGE FROM THE CORPORATION TO EMPLOYEES IS THAT DIFFICULT CHOICES WILL BE MADE.


THIS INCLUDES ELIMINATION OF EXISTING BROADCAST CHANNELS TO PRESERVE THE MOST IMPORTANT ONES ..NOS NETHERLANDS (TRANSLATION PROMPT)



Wednesday, April 15, 2026

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT WEDNESDAY 4/15/2026*TICKETMASTER FOUND TO BE MONOPOLY AT CIVIL TRIAL*PAKISTAN MILITARY BOSS CARRIES US MESSAGE TO IRAN*ISRAELI JUSTICE CALLS OUT POLICING BIAS OF NATIONALIST MINISTER*HUNDREDS OF MIGRANTS FEARED MISSING INDIAN OCEAN*MIGRANTS USED TO KICK MIGRANTS OUT OF GREECE*

 


(SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING WITH PERSONAL COMMITMENTS LIMITING SERVICE)




                  LATE NEWS TONIGHT:



A federal jury finding "Live Nation" and its subsidiary "Ticketmaster" to be monopoly that hurt consumers and overcharged its customers.


33 states and the District of Colombia filing suit.


The company had reached a separate settlement with the US Justice Department of an antitrust lawsuit...NPR USA



IN BRAZIL POLICE AUTHORIZED TO PROBE 'RIGHT' PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FLAVIO BOLSONARO FOR ALLEGEDLY DEFAMING INCUMBENT LEFTIST PRESIDENT LULA DA SILVA.


BOLSONARO MADE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS IN JANUARY FOLLOWING THE US SEIZURE OF VENEZUELA'S PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO FOR ALLEGED DRUG TRAFFICKING.


HIS COMMENTS ABOUT POSSIBLE CRIMES BY THE LEFT IN BRAZIL DRAWING THE PROBE WITH A SPOKESMAN FOR MR. BOLSONARO SAYING HIS RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED...AFP FRANCE-AL JAZEERA QATAR


Russia's military publishing a list of drone manufacturing facilities in Europe used by Ukrainian companies.


They are in countries like Denmark and the UK among others as well in cities including London, Munich and Prague.


The list could be interpreted as a list of potential targets for attacks.


Ukrainian drones have been used to sink merchant Russian ships in the Mediterranean Sea in the last year and European countries have seized Russian oil tankers on the high seas in recent months...Tass Russia



In a symbolic move eight Democrats in the US House introducing Articles of Impeachment against US Secretary of War (Defense) Pete Hegseth.


The lead sponsor of the resolution is Iranian-American Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari from Arizona...The Hill USA



Pakistan's military chief Field Marshal Asim Munir carrying the message of the United States to Iran.  


Munir leading a Pakistani delegation visiting Tehran...Press TV Iran



Nine killed and 13 wounded in a school shooting in Turkey (Türkiye).  It's the second school shooting incident in the country in two days.


A 14-year-old student from the eighth grade entered two fifth-grade classrooms and opened fire.


He was carrying five weapons linked to his father a former police officer who was taken into custody...Reuters-Onmanorama Malaysia



THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" REPORTING THE NOTION OF IRAN USING A CHINESE MADE SPY SATELLITE DURING THE IRAN WAR.


LEAKED MILITARY DOCUMENTS CITED IN CONNECTION WITH THE STORY ALONG WITH PUBLICLY PUBLISHED SATELLITE IMAGES.


MANY PRIVATE COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE AERIAL SATELLITE PICTURES SUSPENDED THEIR SERVICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AT THE REQUEST OF THE UNITED STATES WHEN THE WAR BROKE OUT.


ACCORDING TO THE 'FINANCIAL TIMES' IRAN PURCHASED THE SATELLITE AFTER IT WAS LAUNCHED FROM CHINA IN 2024...ANADOLU AGENCY TURKEY (TURKIYE)




ON SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP MESSAGING THE NOTION OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE US AND CHINA.


HE SAYS CHINA IS HAPPY WITH HIS STRAIT OF HORMUZ POLICY AND WILL NOT SUPPLY WEAPONS TO IRAN.


TRUMP SAYING HE WILL GET A 'BIG FAT HUG' FROM PRESIDENT XI JINPING WHEN HE VISITS CHINA NEXT MONTH...OSINTdefender "X"



"He supports the officers that hit a protester.

When someone kills an Arab, whether in the West Bank, East Jerusalem or Tarabin, there is support"


Israeli High Court Justice Issac Amit speaking about Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.


The judge saying that the nationalist minister in charge of Israel's police force favors and disfavors police officers on the basis of politics.


This includes punishment of officers who use force against Orthodox Jews whose two political parties support the current government.


Israel's High Court now considering a complaint demanding the firing of Mr. Ben Gvir for running his ministry in a politically biased way...Times Of Israel




The markets today.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average down 72.27 points or .15 percent.

The NASDAQ up 376.93 points or 1.59 percent.

At 457 pm New York Time the price of oil 91 dollars 32 cents a barrel up four cents or .04 percent...Marketwatch




THE DUTCH CHIP MAKER 'ASML' SAYS DEMAND FOR CHIPS WORLDWIDE EXCEEDS ITS ABILITY TO PRODUCE THEM.


ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DRIVING THE DEMAND FOR 'HIGH-QUALITY CHIPS'...NOS NETHERLANDS (TRANSLATION PROMPT)




IRANIAN MEDIA REPORTING THE MOVEMENT OF IRANIAN VESSELS THROUGH THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ IN SPITE OF A US BLOCKADE.


THE SHIPS OPERATING IN IRANIAN TERRITORIAL WATERS...TASS RUSSIA



Four killed in the latest US military attack on a boat linked to drug trafficking.


The US Southern Command releasing a video of the boat being hit by a missile and exploding into flames.


This latest attack happened in the Eastern Pacific Ocean...Associated Press USA-Al Jazeera Qatar




MORE THAN 250 MIGRANTS FEARED MISSING IN THE ANDAMAN SEA OF THE EASTERN INDIAN OCEAN.


THEY WERE ROHINGYA REFUGEES FROM MYANMAR AND BANGLADESHI NATIONALS WHO SET OFF FROM BANGLADESH.


THE BANGLADESHI COAST GUARD RESCUING NINE PEOPLE FROM THE SEA LAST THURSDAY...NEWS AGENCIES-AL JAZEERA QATAR





More than 300 migrants rescued by Greek authorities and taken to the island of Crete in recent days.


The migrants picked up after crossing the Mediterranean Sea from Eastern Libya.


They are mainly from Bangladesh, Egypt, Yemen and Sudan.


Authorities say the migrants will be transferred to reception centers on the Greek mainland...Euronews







THE BBC REPORTING THAT THE GREEK GOVERNMENT EMPLOYS MIGRANTS TO HELP KICK OTHER MIGRANTS OUT OF GREECE.


THE MIGRANT 'MERCENARIES' USE VIOLENCE TO SEND MIGRANTS BACK TO TURKEY (TURKIYE) WHEN THEY CROSS INTO GREECE.


THE USE OF THE MERCENARIES BY GREEK AUTHORITIES TO EJECT MIGRANTS SAID TO BE A VIOLATION OF EUROPEAN LAW...NOS NETHERLANDS (TRANSLATION PROMPT)

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT TUESDAY 4/14/2026*VANCE HECKLED AT TPUSA EVENT*GERMAN RULE ON MALE TRAVEL SUGGESTS MILITARY DRAFT*ISRAELI MILITARY KILLS 11 IN GAZA*ISRAEL-LEBANON TALKS*CYANIDE ACCUSATION LEVELED ON CHINA*

 

                               (SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING)




                   LATE NEWS TONIGHT:




                   "You're killing children!"


Vice-President JD Vance confronted at an event sponsored by Turning Point USA in Georgia.


The Vice-President drawing boos and jeers over the ongoing conflict in Gaza where 11 deaths were reported today in midst of a 'ceasefire' proclaimed by President Donald Trump last fall.


Mr. Vance speaking out regarding Pope Leo XIV and his recent comments seeking peace in the Iran War.


He drew parallels to World War II and the Holocaust in expressing his disagreement with the Pontiff's views regarding innocents being killed in the conflict including in Lebanon where fighting has continued in recent days...Anadolu Agency Turkey (Türkiye)




BOMBS DETONATED IN THE CENTER OF TEHRAN TONIGHT.


THREE LIGHTLY WOUNDED WITH SOME PROPERTY DAMAGE REPORTED.


THE EXPLOSIONS NEAR A CHECKPOINT OF THE IRANIAN SECURITY FORCES...OSINTdefender "X" (Photo Embed)



THE STRIKES BY WORKERS AT GERMANY'S LUFTHANSA AIRLINE NOW EXTENDED.   


THE WALKOUTS BEGAN LAST WEEKEND FOR CABIN CREWS NOW THE CREWS WILL BE OFF THE JOB AGAIN TOMORROW AND THURSDAY.


PILOTS WHO WALKED OUT YESTERDAY AND TODAY GOING BACK ON STRIKE THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.


THE PILOTS SAY THEY WANT A NEW CONTRACT AND BETTER PENSIONS...NOS NETHERLANDS (TRANSLATION PROMPT)



The Wall Street Journal reports that more than 20 commercial ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours.  US officials cited as sources.


The US Central Command earlier today spoke of no ships getting past its blockade of Iran with six ships following orders to turn back...Reuters-Times Of Israel



GERMANY BACKING DOWN FROM NEW RULES INVOLVING MEN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 17 AND 45.   


THEY WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO HAVE A PERMIT TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY FOR MORE THAN THREE MONTHS.


THE NOTION OF SUCH A RULE SUGGESTING TO MANY THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS MOVING TOWARDS BRINGING BACK A MILITARY DRAFT.



DEFENSE MINISTER BORIS PISTORIOUS SAYING FOR NOW THAT THE RULE WILL NOT BE APPLIED 'IN PEACETIME'...SVT SWEDEN (TRANSLATION PROMPT)



In Slovenia which neighbors Italy in the Balkans the new parliament speaker says there will be a referendum on pulling out of NATO.


Zoran Stevanovic says the referendum is not an attempt to align Slovenia with any foreign power.   He argues that "Slovenia must conduct its policy independently, sovereignly".


Mr. Stevanovic saying he seeks to keep Slovenia out of international conflicts but notes there is popular support for the European Union and the economic benefits it brings...Anadolu Agency Turkey (Türkiye)



(UPDATED) IN GAZA 11 KILLED WHEN THE ISRAELI MILITARY OPENED FIRE TODAY.


TWO CHILDREN AMONG THOSE KILLED IN THREE SEPARATE INCIDENTS.


THERE HAVE BEEN DAILY VIOLENT INCIDENTS IN GAZA SINCE A CEASEFIRE WAS ANNOUNCED LAST OCTOBER...NEWS AGENCIES-AL JAZEERA QATAR...ASHARQ AL-AWSAT



In Washington today talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials.  


This follows weeks of Israeli military attacks in Lebanon with more than two thousand killed.


Israel seeking to eliminate the Iranian-allied Hezbollah movement both a military force and political party holding power in Lebanon...Al Jazeera Qatar Blog



AT LEAST 16 WOUNDED IN AN ATTACK AT A SCHOOL IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY.


THE 19-YEAR-OLD ATTACKER WAS A FORMER STUDENT WHO TOOK HIS OWN LIFE INSIDE THE SCHOOL ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES...NOS NETHERLANDS (TRANSLATION PROMPT)


                  The markets today.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average up 317.74 points or .66 percent.   

The NASDAQ up 455.35 or 1.96 percent.

At 406 pm New York Time the price of oil 92 dollars 16 cents a barrel down six dollars 92 cents or 6.99 percent...Marketwatch



IN A BID TO CUT RISING FUEL COSTS FROM THE IRAN WAR AUSTRALIA'S QANTAS AIRLINE CANCELLING FLIGHTS BETWEEN ADELAIDE AND MOUNT GAMBIER IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.


THE ROUTE IS BEING ABANDONED WITH THE AIRLINE ALSO SAYING FEWER PASSENGERS ARE USING THE ROUTE...ABC NEWS AUSTRALIA



The Philippines accusing Chinese fishing boats of carrying cyanide.  Authorities say the cyanide was found by Philippine authorities in disputed South China Sea waters.

The notion of marine life including fish being destroyed brought up by the Philippines.

China responding calling the cyanide accusation a 'stunt' that was staged by Philippine authorities who harassed the Chinese fishing boats...Reuters-Al Jazeera Qatar 



Canadian politics Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party now has 174 seats in the House of Commons following three byelection wins in Toronto ridings and in Quebec.

That gives the Liberals a majority of the 343 seats...CBC News Canada Blog