NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT TUESDAY 12/31/2019  NEWSDUMP NEWS YEAR'S EVE

(POSTING WHEN ABLE THROUGH LATE TUESDAY NIGHT)

KIM JONG-UN SPEAKS SAYING 'THE WORLD WILL WITNESS A NEW STRATEGIC WEAPON' FROM NORTH KOREA 'IN THE NEAR FUTURE' MORE LATER ON BUT FIRST......

Part of the alert brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division deploying to Kuwait tonight, some 750 US soldiers.   More to follow in the coming days according to US Defense Secretary Mark Esper.....DEFENSE SECRETARY MARK ESPER TWITTER

This after thousands of protesters in Iraq attacking and some entering the US Embassy grounds in Baghdad forcing US forces to disperse them with tear gas today.

The protesters angered by the US air strikes in Iraq and Syria  Sunday against an Iranian backed militia group that attacked a military base last week killing a US civilian contractor.

Word is that Iraqi security forces allowed protesters to scale a barrier to enter a reception area of the embassy.

Reuters reported that the US ambassador and his staff were evacuated.

Additional US military personnel have been sent from bases in Iraq to secure the embassy which is in lock down mode.

President Trump accusing Iran of "orchestrating" the attack in a morning tweet.

Later the President tweeting more and saying in part that "Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE!.  This is not a Warning, it is a Threat.  Happy New Year!"

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said to have received assurances that Iraq will provide security for the embassy.

The BBC reporting on this......LINK

The French AFP News Agency reported destruction of surveillance cameras, lighting of fires and chants of "Death to America" during the protest.

Iran's Press TV headlining the evacuation of the embassy in its reporting and you can see it with video embedded at this link......IRAN PRESS TV EMBASSY ATTACK STORY

Chelsea Manning, who gave Wikileaks documents on human rights violations by the US military, is being tortured in federal detention in Virginia.

That is what UN official Nils Melzer said in a letter written in November, but only made public today.

Melzer says that Manning is being subjected to "increasingly severe measures which include all the elements of torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment".

She is refusing to testify before a federal grand jury and has been jailed indefinitely and increasingly fined for refusing to do so.

Manning's testimony is sought by federal prosecutors seeking to build a case against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, currently in a British prison, awaiting extradition to the United States.

More from "The Guardian" in the UK......LINK

The Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif visiting China.

China's foreign ministry speaking of  "steady development" of a "strategic partnership" between the two countries and the need to "safeguard" the 2015 JCPOA nuclear agreement that the United States has withdrawn from.

China buys oil from Iran.

NORTH KOREAN RULER KIM JONG-UN SPEAKING NEW YEAR'S  DAY SAYS THE WORLD WILL SEE A 'NEW STRATEGIC WEAPON' FROM HIS COUNTRY IN 2020.

KIM SAID THAT DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW WEAPONS SYSTEM HAD BEEN 'PERFECTLY CARRIED OUT'.

HE IS ALSO WARNING OF 'SHOCKING' ACTION IF THE US POSITION IN NUCLEAR TALKS DOES NOT CHANGE.

KIM JONG-UN ALSO ANNOUNCING THAT NORTH KOREA IS BACKING AWAY FROM ITS MORATORIUM ON NUCLEAR AND LONG-RANGE MISSILE TESTS.

MORE FROM THE VOICE OF AMERICA.......LINK

Protests in Hong Kong with roving groups of pro-democracy demonstrators at various shopping locations in the city New Year's Eve eventually making it onto the streets later in the evening.

Early New Year's Day riot police using tear gas attacked demonstrators in the street..... VIDEO LINK

In Libya more fighting reported with the Turkish News Agency Anadolu saying that the Government of National Accord repelled an attack by the Libyan National Army in the Tripoli area killing 10 LNA members.

Turkey's parliament will debate legislation Thursday to authorize Turkish military intervention in Libya to support the GNA.

LNA leader Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar traveling to a nation that supports him Egypt where an emergency meeting of the Arab League is underway.

The French President Emmanuel Macron standing firm on his planned overhaul of France's pension system.   In his New Year's Eve speech Macron said he will see the "pension reform" through.

Macron called for a "rapid compromise" on the issue which is being contested in a nationwide strike by railroad workers that has disrupted transportation in France since early December.

The US Army is banning the Chinese-owned video app TikTok.   The US Navy already has done so.

The Army says the app is a "cyber threat" that is not "allowed on government phones".

The Defense Information Systems Agency recommended earlier this month that Defense Department employees not use TikTok. 

More from "NBC News"......LINK

President Trump said today the much talked about "Phase One" trade deal with China will be signed on January 15th. 

China is reported agreeing to buy more US agricultural products and US will roll back some tariffs on Chinese goods.

Australia is asking the US and Canada for "specialist aviation resources" to support the fight against historic and catastrophic brush fires.

Australian military helicopters, aircraft and navy vessels are moving to provide humanitarian assistance and be ready for evacuations.

Two have been confirmed dead in recent hours as a result of the fires that have forced thousands to flee their homes and caused damage across New South Wales and Victoria.

The latest live reporting on Australia's brush fires from ABC in Australia....LINK

"I am now in Lebanon and will no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system where guilt is presumed, discrimination is rampant, and basic human rights are denied.   I have not fled justice-I have escaped injustice and political persecution."

The words of the former Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn who escaped house arrest in Japan and arrived in Beirut. Lebanon yesterday.

A Lebanese television station MTV reporting that a large case for a musical instrument was used in the escape.

More from Australia's "Sydney Morning Herald".....LINK

"InfoWars" media activist Alex Jones ordered to pay 100-thousand dollars in legal fees by a judge who also refused to dismiss the lawsuit against him.

Texas State District Judge Scott Jenkins in Austin has ruled that Jones is trying to prevent the lawsuit from moving forward by refusing to produce witnesses in the suit.

The lawsuit being brought by a parent of child killed in the mass murder at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut in December of 2012.

A story from the Associated Press as published by "Global News" in Canada.....LINK

And that's the way it really is on New Year's Eve  December 31st, 2019

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT MONDAY 12/30/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE WITH POSTING IN EVENING TO CONCLUDE SERVICE AT 1015 PM EASTERN US TIME MONDAY)

US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien warning North Korea against conducting a ballistic missile test as a:

"Christmas gift"

to President Trump.

O'Brien saying that:

"If Kim Jong-un takes that approach, we will be extraordinarily disappointed, and we will demonstrate that disappointment"

State media in North Korea reporting that Kim Jong-un has told a ruling party gathering that the country must take "positive and offensive measures" in the name of ensuring its security and sovereignty.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo threatening more strikes following yesterdays attacks by F-15 aircraft on an Iranian supported militia group in Iraq and Syria.

Pompeo saying that the US "will not stand" for any actions by the Iranian government that put American lives in danger.

Appearing on "Fox and Friends" Monday morning, Pompeo described the group attacked as "Iranian-backed rogue militia" that were "trying to divide the Iraqi people" and "deny the Iraqi people their basic sovereignty".   

Those last comments signaling that the attack may have been designed in part to prevent another Shia Muslim led government from being put in place in Iraq following mass street demonstrations in the country that have taken on an anti-Iranian tone in some cases.

Pompeo also linking Shia Muslim Iran in his comments to a "terror campaign all around the world".

The Shia militia group attacked by the United States is threatening retaliation.

Condemnation by Iraqi political leaders of the attacks and the leading Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali  al-Sistani condemning the "criminal aggression" involved in the attacks.   Iran's Press TV reports.....LINK

(COMMENT AND ANALYSIS)

The major active terrorist groups around the world are mostly Sunni Muslims inspired by the militant Wahabbi theology of Saudi Arabia from Al Qaeda to its many offshoots like the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham fighting the Assad regime in Syria, the Al-Shabaab group in Somalia,  Boko Haram in Nigeria and neighboring countries and Islamic State across many borders.

The US military has carried out airstrikes in Somalia that killed four terrorists of the al-Shabaab group allied with the al-Qaeda organization.      The strikes following the massive car bomb attack in Mogadishu on Saturday that killed 79 people.

More from "The Guardian" in the UK.......LINK

18 REPORTED KILLED TODAY IN WHAT MAINSTREAM MEDIA CALL AN ATTACK BY ISLAMIST MILITANTS ON A VILLAGE IN EASTERN CONGO.

The former Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn arrived in Lebanon Monday.   Ghosn violating his house arrest in Japan to travel to a nation where he was citizenship.

A private plane carried Ghosn to Beirut from Turkey.

France's BFM-TV has confirmed the story first published by a Lebanese newspaper.

A spokesman for Ghosn telling the "Europe 1" media outlet that Ghosn cannot  get a fair trial in Japan.  And another person told the AFP news agency that he is "fleeing the injustice of the Japanese system".

He was arrested by Japanese authorities repeatedly beginning in November of 2018 and accused of multiple breach of trust and failure to disclose income charges.

Mr. Ghosn, who holds Brazilian, French and Lebanese citizenship, has said he was being framed by rivals inside Japan's Nissan conglomerate.  His lawyers say Japan's government was conspiring against him.

The BBC reports that Japan's Foreign Minister visited Beirut on December 20th, but it does not appear Mr. Ghosn or his case were connected to the visit.

In Australia the brush fires raging again this time impacting beachfront vacation locales during the summer holiday season.

Seven reported missing in the states of New South Wales and Victoria.   Thousands reported fleeing to the beaches to escape the flames.

Live blog coverage from the ABC in Australia where its now Tuesday......LINK

The brush fires in Australia being blamed by some on climate change.    

And that brings us to the comments of Mark Carney.    Carney is the head of the Bank of England but he's moving on next month to be UN special envoy for climate action and finance.

Carney says there is a climate crisis and that the financial sector needs to take account of it and reduce investment in fossil fuels.

You can read all about it in this BBC story......LINK

Which leaves one wondering again if  "climate change" is about protection of the business and financial sectors more than protection of the environment? 

And for now that's the way it really is Monday December 30th, 2019.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT SUNDAY 12/29/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE TODAY AND TOMORROW)

US MILITARY ATTACKS IN SYRIA AND IRAQ,  MORE DETAILS BELOW BUT THE LEAD STORY FIRST:

A suspect is in custody after a stabbing attack at the home of a Hasidic Jewish rabbi in Monsey, New York.    Five people were wounded in the attack with two hurt critically.

The suspect identified as Grafton Thomas.   He is said to have screamed "I'll get you" as he went after his victims with a machete.....LINK

Saturday night's attack that occurred just before 10 pm Eastern US time was not a question of if for the local Hasidic community but when according to a leader from the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council who spoke with "Israel National News".

This attack the latest in a series of attacks on Orthodox Jews in and around New York City.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo calling the attack "domestic terrorism" and calling for tougher "hate crimes" laws.

New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio increasing security measures in Jewish areas of the city and vowing that schools will teach about opposing "hate".

President Trump describing the attack as "horrific"

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

A photo of the suspect......LINK

US MILITARY ATTACKS REPORTED IN IRAQ AND SYRIA SUNDAY NIGHT ON THE HEADQUARTERS AND OTHER BASES OF AN IRANIAN BACKED MILITIA..

 THE ATTACKS ON THE KATAIB HEZBOLLAH GROUP IN RESPONSE TO A FRIDAY ATTACK ON AN IRAQI MILITARY BASE NEAR KIRKUK THAT KILLED AN AMERCIAN CIVILIAN CONTRACTOR AND WOUNDED SOME US SOLDIERS SLIGHTLY.

ONE OF THE LOCATIONS ATTACKED WAS AL-QAIM, AN IRAQI CITY NEAR THE SYRIAN BORDER.

THE PENTAGON CALLING THE ATTACKS "DEFENSIVE STRIKES".   DEFENSE SECRETARY MARK ESPER SAYS THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL.

MEMBERS OF THE MILITIA GROUPS REPORTED KILLED IN THE ATTACKS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED BY DRONES.    THE TOTAL NUMBER KILLED BELIEVED TO BE 25.

RUSSIA'S "SPUTNIK NEWS" WITH MORE......LINK  IRAN'S PRESS TV ALSO REPORTS.....LINK

"The era of inroads by the Americans has ended and they have to gradually leave the region"

Those the words of Iran's Navy chief Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi commenting on the four day naval exercise taking place involving Iran's navy and warships from China and Russia.

The exercise underway in the Indian Ocean and Sea of Oman.

More from Iran's "Press TV".....LINK

In Yemen at least five people are dead after Iranian backed Houthi forces apparently launched a missile strike during a military parade.

The missile attack hit a graduation ceremony for recruits finishing training for a military force backed by the United Arab Emirates.

The BBC published a story about the attack....LINK

IN A SUBURB OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS TODAY TWO KILLED IN A SHOOTING ATTACK AT A CHURCH.

THE GUNMAN RISING FROM A PEW AND SHOOTING UNTIL HE WAS SHOT DEAD BY AN ARMED MEMBER OF THE CONGREGATION.

OTHER ARMED MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION TRAINED PISTOLS ON THE ATTACKER.

POLICE STILL LOOKING FOR A MOTIVE TONIGHT.

COVERAGE FROM THE FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM INCLUDING THE VIDEO OF WHAT HAPPENED.....LINK

A prisoner exchange in Ukraine today between Ukraine's government and pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country.  Some 200 prisoners involved.

Its part of a process that France, Germany and Russia are involved in to create a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine with hopes for a negotiated settlement later on.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin thanking President Trump for providing information that led to two arrests of Russian nationals planning terrorist attacks.

The two leaders spoke by phone Sunday.

The BBC's version of the story.....LINK     The arrest of the suspects discussed by Russia's Tass News Agency.....LINK

And for now that's the way it really is for Sunday December 29th, 2019.

NEXTRUSH UNPLUGGED: SATURDAY NIGHT VERSION LOOKING BACK AND FORTH

Welcome to the weekend, the last weekend of 2019 moving into 2020 in just a few days.

The Queen's honors list in the UK with a massive list of names and oops, a thousand addresses mistakenly published.

Sir Elton John gets special status as a Companion of Honour which only 65 people can hold at one time.

Olivia Newton-John will be made a dame (she received an Order of the British Empire in 1979) for "services to charity, cancer research and entertainment"

And here's Olivia with Sir Cliff Richard performing in 1980.....

Music Links:

"SUDDENLY"-OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN AND CLIFF RICHARD

"HAPPY NEW YEAR"-ABBA

"CELEBRATE"-THREE DOG NIGHT

"WILL IT GO ROUND IN CIRCLES"-BILLY PRESTON

Hey the name of that song "WILL IT GO ROUND IN CIRCLES" as we remember hearing it back in the 1970's from Billy Preston reminds me about Kim Jong-un and the North Korean regime with its year end deadline for the US to lift sanctions in order for nuclear talks to continue.

They suggested a "gift" for President Trump.     What will the gift be and if the gift is a rocket launch "will it go round in circles, will it fly high like a bird up in the sky" and we may see that come New Year's Day.

Over in Israel the notion of a low-level conflict with Iran that's likely to get up to a higher-level.

Defense reporter Amos Harel of "Haaretz" offers up an analysis as he considers what the Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff is saying.....

ANALYSIS: ISRAEL-IRAN COLLISION ALMOST INEVITABLE, IDF CHIEF MAKES CLEAR

General Kochavi says things openly but masks what's going on under the surface including Israel's ties to the Gulf Arab kingdoms led by Saudi Arabia.     A lot of people here, there and everyone would be upset by that.    Especially the grass roots Saudi people who are infused with the ideology that Osama bin Laden unleashed on us all and the Saudi Air Force lieutenant unleashed on the Americans in Pensacola, Florida earlier this month.

SAVE ISRAEL SUPPORT THE KINGDOM OF AL-QAEDA

That includes the jihadists of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf unleashed in places like Libya and Syria in recent years.


I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO DARE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO TELL ABSOLUTE TRUTH TO US ALL BUT HE DOESN'T


He has to propagandize as he did after the terrorist attack he would not call a terrorist attack happened in Pensacola and again last Thursday as he tweeted about Iran, Russia and Syria supposedly planning a massacre in northwestern Syria's Idlib.


He avoids truth to mislead us about the consistent US post 9/11 policy of fighting the organization called "Al Qaeda" while embracing and exploiting the movement, the ideology of "Al Qaeda" with ties to the Saudis and use of their jihadists in various conflicts in the Middle East region.


TO THE POLITICALLY OBSESSED I CAN HEAR IT COMING NOW THE DEMOCRATS ARE THE EVIL ENEMY BUT AT LEAST ONE OF THEM HAS HAD GUTS TO TELL TRUTH DONALD TRUMP WON'T, TULSI GABBARD.

BUT OF COURSE SHE IS MARGINALIZED AND CALLED A 'RUSSIAN ASSET' ETC. ETC.

THE MONEY AND POWER OF SAUDI ARABIA CANNOT BE UNDERESTIMATED AND THE DEMOCRATS GOT THEIR HAND IN IT JUST LIKE DONALD J. TRUMP DOES.

JOE BIDEN RUSHED TO THE KINGDOM WHEN HE WAS VP AND THE KING DIED.    HE WAS FASTER THAN BARACK OBAMA WHO GOT DISSED TO BEING TOO SLOW TO JOIN UP WITH THE MOURNING.

WHEN DO WE GET THE THIRD PARTY THAT SPEAKS THE TRUTH?   IMPEACHMENT SERVES THE INTERESTS OF OUR UNIPARTIES WELL IN KEEPING US DISTRACTED FROM WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON.

I'M REMINDED OF SOMETHING SENATOR RAND PAUL, REPUBLICAN OF KENTUCKY, SAID IN THE MIDST OF THIS IMPEACHMENT DRAMA.

THE GIST OF IT WE BORROW MONEY FROM CHINA TO SEND IT TO UKRAINE.

THAT'S THE BIGGER SCANDAL AND OF COURSE HUNTER BIDEN PULLED AWAY FROM HIS BOARD MEMBERSHIP OF A CHINESE COMPANY WHEN ALL THIS SCANDAL BROKE OUT IN WASHINGTON.

SAUDI AND CHINESE INFLUENCE ARE HIDDEN BY THE DRAMA ABOUT RUSSIAN INFLUENCE OVER OUR COUNTRY.


IN A RELATED NOTE I'M LOOKING AT AN APPLE JUICE CONTAINER FOR AN EXPIRATION DATE AND IT SAYS THE CONCENTRATE FOR THE JUICE COMES FROM CHINA AND UKRAINE.

The Iranians touting some naval drills in the Sea of Oman involving Chinese and Russian warships.   The four day exercise began Friday......LINK

Music Links:



"APPLES, PEACHES, PUMPKIN PIE"-JAY AND THE TECHNIQUES



"SEATTLE"-PERRY COMO



'WHEN I FALL IN LOVE"-NAT KING COLE



"QUE SERA, SERA"-DORIS DAY



Is it real, is it fake?    Well for what its worth its on "Southfront" and its video of Syrian mercenaries loyal to Turkey on the ground in Tripoli, Libya today to help the Government of National Accord backed by Turkey fight the Libyan National Army.


Read it and see it at the link.....SOUTHFRONT-SYRIAN MERCENARIES IN LIBYA


The story we have heard is that Turkey is planning to send troops to Libya with President Erdogan saying that following a visit to the neighboring country of Tunisia but "Bloomberg News" put out a story saying that the Syrian proxy forces were going to Libya.

The Libyan National Army backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, France and Russia as they try to take total control in Libya by taking out the GNA in the western part of the country.


The fight for energy supplies is on.


Russia said its going to use its own pipe laying ship to finish the Nord Stream 2 project next year now that US sanctions are forcing European companies out.   That will bring natural gas direct from Russia to Germany.

And the US government is not happy at all about that because its cuts the USA out of supplying energy to Germany.

"energy security"

the catchphrase which means US business interests must be protected, US market share in the world with the power of sanctions.    After sanctions the next step is war.

On Thursday Israel, Cyprus and Greece signing off on a Mediterranean natural gas pipeline project to bring natural gas to Italy.

The idea is that offshore drilling around Cyprus will produce natural gas for Europe.

Turkey claiming a lot of that off shore territory as its own and sending in its own exploration vessels.

And the US 

"energy security"

agenda is in the room as well.

President Trump has signed an EastMed Act to support the project.....AMERICAN CHAMBERS HAIL EAST MED ACT SIGNING BY PRESIDENT TRUMP

More on all this from the "Ahval" news website......

TURKEY CANNOT STOP EASTMED PIPELINE PROJECT

DOES GRETA THUNBERG APPROVE OF ALL THIS?  MY GUT SAYS 'CLIMATE CHANGE' MAY INVOLVE AMONG OTHER THINGS PROPAGANDA FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES THAT INCLUDES OIL, SOLAR, GAS ETC. OUT THERE TRYING TO HURT THE COAL INDUSTRY.

JUST A SENSE OF IT BEING THAT.  MY STRONG SENSE OF IT. 

Music Links:




"DONT LET THE SUN CATCH YOU CRYING"-GERRY AND THE PACEMAKERS



"WHAT WOULD I BE"-VAL DOONICAN



"BORN FREE"-MATT MONRO



"I GOTTA BE ME"-SAMMY DAVIS JR. (LIVE)



Wow I picked out Sammy Davis Jr. doing a live television performance for Hugh Hefner's "Playboy After Dark" show as a way to lead into what's coming next.


The show that Hugh Hefner put on TV stations around the country back in the 1960's and 70's was originally called  "Playboy's Penthouse" with the notion of a cocktail party on the top floor, the penthouse, of a building.


This was hip, this was swingin, this is was livin or was it?


Well, regardless, the penthouse cocktail party of Hugh Hefner's television show was transformed into prime time on the "Laugh-In" series of over the top toxic comedy as I reflect on it.


This segment from a "Laugh-In" penthouse cocktail party has Three Dog Night performing "Joy To The World" in between the jokes.and its later on in the series with Richard Dawson and Larry Hovis coming over from "Hogan's Heroes" after that series ended.


Hovis is a politician saying:

"personally I'm putting a stop to this wasteful spending in my office no matter how much it costs"

And here we are nearly 50 years later and the national debt clock at 1012 pm Eastern time Saturday December 28th.

23,158,045,900,000 dollars

Over 23 trillion in the hole and rising.



Music Links:



"THE NO NO SONG"-RINGO STARR AND HIS ALL STAR BAND (LIVE)



"YOU ALWAYS HURT THE ONE YOU LOVE"-MILLS BROTHERS



'PUT YOUR HAND IN THE HAND'-JOAN BAEZ



'ALL THINGS'-GLAD



And as it says in the Good Book     "All things work together for those who love the Lord"  The way I've had to live it this year and have to live it next year as well.


Glad singing the last song there a group of guys mostly West Chester University here in PA along with a guy from Temple University in Philly and they were out there doing Contemporary Christian Music back around 1980 and into the 80's.


Onto the news........

THE REAL NEWS SUMMARY

The ruling party in North Korea convening a meeting this weekend chaired by ruler Kim Jong-un ahead of the year end deadline for US concessions on sanctions.

North Korea may be preparing what it has called a "gift" for the United States to bring in the New Year with some speculating a new long rang ballistic missile may be tested.

More from "Al Jazeera" in Qatar........LINK

At least 76 killed and 90 wounded in a bombing attack in the Somali capital Mogadishu today.

The Al-Shabab terrorist group allied with Al-Qaeda is active in the country.

The bombing at a busy intersection checkpoint in the city.

More from the BBC......LINK


At attack tonight with at least five people stabbed at a rabbi's home in Monsey, New York.   Monsey located in Rockland County north of New York City.  Two of the victims said to be in critical condition.


The attacker said to be a machete wielding man.


The story as reported by "Israel National News".......LINK    And the story from CBS in New York with video embedded.....LINK    And the coverage from ABC 7 in New York with embedded video.....LINK   

LATE WORD IS THAT A SUSPECT IN THE STABBING HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.

Longtime radio host Don Imus died Friday in College Station, Texas at the age of 79.  Imus was hospitalized there Christmas Eve.

His longtime newscaster sidekick Charles McCord spoke on WFAN Radio about Imus his life and likely causes of his death this morning with host Ed Coleman......LINK


President Trump retweeting a post of the name of the "whistle blower" whose complaint led to the "impeachment inquiry" by the House today.      The post later taken down.    The President believes the name should be public knowledge and that he should have the ability to face and confront the person who accused him of wrongdoing as stated in the US Constitution.


Entrepreneur Elon Musk expects his tunnel under Las Vegas to be completed next year.  Musk tweeting that the .8 mile project connecting Las Vegas's convention center to the Strip should be "hopefully fully operational in 2020"

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



And for now in brief that's the way it really is on Saturday night December 28th, 2019.



Good Night.  God Bless.


Hope you're having a sober and sane weekend with peace and serenity alongside you.


Music into the night.....


Music Links:



"BUTTERFLY"-ANDY WILLIAMS



"SWAY"-DEAN MARTIN



"LES BICYCLETTES DE BELSIZE"-ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK



"YOU'RE MY WORLD"-HELEN REDDY

FRANCE YELLOW VESTS WEEK 59:  THE PENSION STRIKE STRUGGLE JEROME RODRIGUES INJURED OVER 45-THOUSAND ESTIMATED PROTESTERS

"It's a strong movement and still supported by public opinion"

Philippe Martinez, CGT Trade Union Leader Friday December 27, 2019

The strike launched December 5th spearheaded by France's railway workers is continuing in an effort to stop President Emmanuel Macron's  "pension reform".

Talks will resume on January 7th between the government and unions.

Its in the context of this action against President Macron's crony capitalist corporatist policies that Yellow Vests march during the holiday period.

Various strike actions are planned across France today as the strike movement looks forward to January 9th  as a major day of mobilization.

As the protest took place in Paris today Yellow Vests media figure Jerome Rodrigues, injured by a police flash bang round in a previous demonstration losing one of his eyes, again injured today.

It is said he was hit by a shield or baton.

Here is the video.....The police injuring Rodrigues at around 55 seconds into this 1 minute, 12 second video.....JEROME RODRIGUES ATTACKED INJURED BY POLICE IN PARIS 12/28/2019

Rodrigues held a cold pack to his eye after the injury and spoke to media.....JEROME RODRIGUES SPEAKS TO MEDIA AFTER BEING INJURED BY POLICE

This video shows the protest in Paris from start to finish with the attack on Jerome Rodrigues at the beginning......

TOTAL VIDEO 4 HOURS, 36 MINUTES OF WEEK 59 YELLOW VESTS PARIS 12/28/2019

In Montpellier today a sizeable crowd came out to protest as seen in this video clip......

MONTPELLIER YELLOW VESTS WEEK 59 12/28/2019



Getting back to President Emmanuel Macron a bit of controversy as he wished the best to people at Christmas without saying "Merry Christmas".     This was duly noted by opposition politicians of the National Rally among others.


This Christmas video was posted featuring Yellow Vests along with Mr. Macron and his wife Brigitte.



CHRISTMAS VIDEO YELLOW VESTS MACRON

The official government estimate of protesters in Paris today was 4,500.   800 of them reported wearing Yellow Vests.

Protests in other locations across France including 1100 in Bayonne according to the government and 2200 according to union organizers.

500 said to be in Saint-Etienne, 200 in Toulouse, 150 in Rennes.

Lower numbers but the kind one would expect on a holiday weekend?

Here's an eight minute video of the Toulouse Yellow Vests rally and march today and you can look and decide for yourself if 200 was the actual number there today.......

TOULOUSE WEEK 59 YELLOW VESTS 12/28/2019

An overview of today's protest was offered in this five hour and 40 minute multiplex video stream......



YELLOW VESTS WEEK 59 MULTIPLEX MULTIPLE LOCATION VIDEO 12/28/2019

THE YELLOW NUMBER FACEBOOK ESTIMATE OF PROTESTERS THIS WEEK RELEASED SUNDAY DECEMBER 29TH  45,049 MINIMUM.

For now  that's the story of the Yellow Vests as of Week 59.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT FRIDAY 12/27/2019 NEWSDUMP FRIDAY

(VERY LIMITED SERVICE UNTIL LATE TONIGHT WITH POSTING THROUGH MIDNIGHT EASTERN TIME)

"....its result will be to show that Iran cannot be isolated"

The words of Iranian Rear Admiral Gholamreza Tahani describing the four day naval exercise in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman involving Iranian, Chinese and Russian warships that began today.

More from Iran's "Press TV".....LINK

A US civilian contractor killed in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base near Kirkuk Friday.   Some members of the US military at the base were slightly injured and Iraqi military personnel were also reported wounded.

Iraqi authorities will investigate the attack.

More from CBS News......LINK

Russia says it will use its own pipe laying vessel to finish the Nord Stream 2 project that will bring natural gas directly from Russia to Germany.

That announcement today in Moscow from Energy Minister Alexander Novak.

Russia forced to act after US sanctions on the pipeline project approved by Congress and signed by President Trump last Friday forced a Swiss-Danish company to halt its pipe laying operations.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced today that a regiment with the Avanguard hypsersonic missile system became operational at 3 am Eastern US time today.

Russia says that the new system will enable its ballistic missiles to evade any current and future anti-missile defense system.

The Libyan Government of National Accord in Tripoli formally requested naval, air and ground support from Turkey for its fight with the Libyan National Army today.

Yesterday Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country will provide troops to support the GNA and legislation will be forthcoming in parliament.

Meanwhile, the Libyan National Army claims that its forces are within 4 kilometers of the center of Tripoli.

An adviser to the Syrian ruler, Bashar al-Assad, says President Trump is talking about stealing Syria's oil when he talks about US military operations continuing in eastern Syria.

Bouthania Shaaban told the "Al Mayadeen" media outlet in Lebanon the United States:

"has absolutely no right, it is our oil"

The President attacked Syria and its allies Iran and Russia in a tweet yesterday claiming they are planning to perpetrate a massacre in their military operations against jihadist opposition forces in northwestern Syria.

Shaaban, meanwhile, says Syria has energy development plans and is working with Russia on exploiting energy reserves in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

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

Reuters is reporting that British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and several others linked to convicted sex offender and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein are under FBI investigation.

Two sources tell the news agency there is a probe underway with one saying that it is in its early stages.

The sources say that the FBI has no current plans to interview Britain's Prince Andrew in connection with their investigation.

Both the FBI and lawyers for Maxwell have declined comment on the report....LINK TO REUTERS STORY

AND THE WASHINGTON POST REPORTING THAT ITS INVESTIGATION POINTS TO THE DEFROCKED CARDINAL THEODORE MCCARRICK SENDING 600-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO CHURCH OFFICIALS WHILE HE WAS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE.

MCCARRICK TAPPING INTO MONEY UNDER HIS CONTROL AS THE ARCHBISHOP OF WASHINGTON TO SEND MONEY TO AN ARCHBISHOP WHO RECEIVED COMPLAINTS ABOUT HIS MISCONDUCT AS WELL AS TWO POPES.     JOHN PAUL II RECEIVING 90-THOUSAND DOLLARS AND BENEDICT 291-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

MORE FROM "NJ.COM"........LINK

In Hawaii the remains of six people found on the top of a mountain after a helicopter crash on the island of Kauai.

The chopper carrying seven people was on a sightseeing tour when it went down.  Authorities say there are no indications of any survivors.

More from "HawaiiNewsNow"......LINK

At least 12 are dead after the crash of an airliner in the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan.  100 were on board the plane when it crashed after takeoff from the airport in the country's largest city, Almaty.

The pilot of the Fokker aircraft is listed among the dead.

In New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio announced today that police will increase their presence in the city's Jewish neighborhoods following recent anti-Semitic attacks.

DeBlasio saying in part:

"Hate doesn't have a home in our city.......Anyone who terrorizes our Jewish community WILL face justice"

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

Dutch Parliament member Geert Wilders calling for the expulsion of the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor from the Netherlands.

Wilders speaking out following the decision of Fatou Bensouda to pursue an investigation of alleged war crimes by Israel against the Palestinians.

Posting on Twitter he called the ICC "a biased pro-Palestinian institution and an anti-Semitic kangaroo court".......GEERT WILDERS TWITTER POST

And for now that's the way it really is Friday December 27th, 2019 Newsdump Friday.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT THURSDAY 12/26/2019

(VERY LIMITED SERVICE WITH POSTING EARLY AND THEN LATER THIS EVENING)

President Trump attacking Syria, Russia and Iran alleging they are going to perpetrate a massacre during the current military offensive in the northwest of Syria against jihadist opposition forces.    That message on Twitter today offered praise for Turkey as a country that is trying to prevent the "massacre"

Turkey will send troops to Libya.

That's what President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his AK Party at a meeting in Ankara today.

Erdogan said he will present legislation when parliament re-opens in January.

He said in part:

"We will provide all kinds of support to the Tripoli government against the coupist general (Haftar), who is supported by various European and Arab countries."

The Turkish president made a surprise visit to the country that neighbors Libya, Tunisia, yesterday.

There is a conflict in Libya going on right now involving the UN-recognized Government of National Accord in Tripoli and the eastern Libyan National Army of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who has backing including Egypt, France, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

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

LATE WORD TONIGHT OF A PLANE CRASH IN THE CENTRAL ASIAN NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN WHERE ITS FRIDAY MORNING.    AT LEAST SEVEN REPORTED DEAD WHEN A PLANE CARRYING MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE CITY OF ALMATY.

THE PLANE HAD TAKEN OFF FROM ALMATY ENROUTE TO KAZAKHSTAN'S CAPITAL CITY NUR-SULTAN.

IN IRAQ THE PRESIDENT BARHAM SALIH REFUSING TO DESIGNATE BASRA GOVERNOR ASSAD AL-EIDANI AS THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER TODAY AND THREATENING TO RESIGN.

SALIH SAYING THAT THE APPOINTMENT WILL NOT SATISFY PROTESTERS ON THE STREETS DEMANDING REFORM AND CHANGE IN THE COUNTRY.

Russia announcing its contribution to joint naval drills with China and Iran set to begin in the next 48 hours in the Gulf of Oman.  The frigate "Yaroslav Mudry" along with a tanker and tugboat will be involved.

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

Reports in the mainstream media say Iran will be the scene of more anti-government protests today this time mourning those killed in riots against a gasoline price hike last month.

The Iranian government reported to have began shutdowns of internet service yesterday in anticipation of today's protest.

Iran also says its intercepted shipments of firearms made in the USA being smuggled into the country for use in rioting.

The story from Iran's "Press TV"......LINK

The primary in Israel's Likud Party today with a victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over challenger Gideon Sa'ar.     Netanyahu won 72.5 percent of the vote to Sa'ar's 27.5 percent.    Netanyahu will lead Likud into Israel's third election in less than a year on March 3rd.

A police raid in Moscow Thursday on the headquarters of an anti-corruption organization led by opposition politician Alexei Navalny.    Navalny was dragged out of the building and detained before being released, it is reported.

The story as reported by Germany's "Deutsche Welle"......LINK

And for now that's the way it really is Thursday December 26th, 2019.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT WEDNESDAY 12/25/2019  CHRISTMAS DAY

Street protests continued in Hong Kong on Christmas Day.    The pro-democracy protesters confronted by police who used pepper spray and tear gas to disperse them.

Video from "Global News" in Canada....LINK

As announced earlier, Iran's navy will participate in joint exercises with Russian and Chinese warships beginning this Saturday.  

Speaking today, Iranian military spokesman General Abolfazl Shekarchi said the maneuvers are designed to promote regional security.

The naval exercises taking place in the northern Indian Ocean as far as the Sea of Oman and they are seen as a response to the US naval patrols with its ally Saudi Arabia that followed attacks on oil tankers.

Iran's "Press TV" with more.....LINK

The internet is being disrupted in Iran ahead of protests expected tomorrow in memory of those killed in last month's fuel price hike protests.

The BBC reports......LINK

The deadline for forces of Libya's UN recognized Government of National Accord to withdrawal is midnight tonight according to eastern Libya's Libyan National Army.

The LNA forces fighting to take control of the capital city of Tripoli and other areas held by the GNA.

The GNA says that LNA forces are using Russian mercenaries and United Arab Emirates controlled drones in pressing their attack.

Turkey has been providing military support to the GNA with a formal agreement by both governments recently.....BUT TODAY A SURPRISE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE TURKISH PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO THE COUNTRY THAT NEIGHBORS LIBYA ON THE WEST, TUNISIA.

THE GNA SAYS ITS REPRESENTATIVES MAY MEET WITH PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN THERE.

ERDOGAN SAID AT A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE WITH TUNISIA'S NEW PRESIDENT THAT IF THE GNA INVITES TURKISH TROOPS INTO LIBYA "WE WILL OF COURSE EVALUATE IT". 

THIS STORY FROM 'BLOOMBERG NEWS' WAS PUBLISHED BY 'STARS AND STRIPES'....LINK

Iraq struggling to form a new interim government that will lead to new elections under a new electoral law following months of street protest.

The largest Shia factions in the country have nominated the Governor of Basra,  Assad al-Eidani, for Prime Minister.

Protesters on the streets already denouncing his selection with one quoted by "Al Jazeera" as saying that they  "want a candidate who isn't corrupt and independent of the political establishment"

More from Qatar's "Al Jazeera"......LINK

LATER A BOMB ATTACK REPORTED IN EASTERN BAGHDAD'S SADR CITY WITH ONE KILLED AND FOUR WOUNDED.   THE BOMB WAS PLANTED ON A MOTORCYCLE.

The United States was behind an attack on Syrian oil facilities in Homs on December 12th.   The Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem spoke Monday when he met the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying in part:

"The US using its illegal military base in Al Tanf, sent drones to Homs and committed air strikes by them against the oil refining infrastructure.."

"Southfront" offers up a report on this.....LINK

The cost of relocating a US military base on Okinawa will be more than double the original estimate.   That announcement today from Japan's government today.      It will also take more time for base relocation because of the need to stabilize reclaimed land with the project requiring 12 years for completion.

This report from the Associated Press as published by "Stars and Stripes"....LINK

The forest fires that have destroyed some 150 homes in Valparaiso, Chile in the last 24 hours were deliberately set.    That's what authorities in Chile are saying.

The story as reported by the BBC...LINK

THE COMMENTS OF REPUBLICAN US SENATOR LISA MURKOWKSI OF ALASKA GETTING TRACTION IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA COMING OUT OF CHRISTMAS DAY.

"WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT STEP BACK FROM BEING HAND-IN-GLOVE WITH THE DEFENSE"

AMONG THE COMMENTS OF MURKOWSKI TO ANCHORAGE TV STATION KTUU ABOUT AN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL AND HOW SENATE REPUBLICANS SHOULD HANDLE IT.   

SHE WAS RESPONDING TO A QUESTION ABOUT COMMENTS MADE BY THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL.

Israeli politics and primary voters tomorrow in the Likud Party will have the opportunity to vote for or against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.   His main challenger Gideon Sa'ar  is saying if he wins Netanyahu will be made President of Israel.

As Prime Minister Netanyahu campaigned in southern Israel tonight, warning sirens went off in the area signifying a rocket attack from Gaza.   Israel's Iron Dome system activated to intercept any incoming rockets.   The Israel Defense Forces say one rocket was fired from Gaza.

Israeli airstrikes were launched into the Gaza Strip late tonight.

Also Yisrael Beytenu (Israel Our Home) leader Avigdor Lieberman calling for a halving of government funding for religious schools (Yeshivas).    Lieberman appealing to secular voters in Israel and appealing to his base of support among Russian immigrants.

Israel headed for its third election in less than a year on March 3rd.

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

"The challenges many people face today may be different to those once faced by my generation, but I have been struck at by how new generations have brought a similar sense of purpose to issues such as protecting our environment and climate"

That's part of the message of Her Majesty The Queen for Christmas and here is the British monarch's  full message as presented by the BBC today.....VIDEO LINK

And that's the way it really is for Wednesday December 25th, Christmas Day 2019.

NEXTRUSH UNPLUGGED:  THE CHRISTMAS POST 

Music Links:

"WHITE CHRISTMAS"-BING CROSBY

"O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM"-NAT KING COLE


"SILENT NIGHT"-CLIFF RICHARD


"ITS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR"-ANDY WILLIAMS



Welcome everyone Merry Christmas to all as we bring you this special post.

The serious news of the moment posted at the Newsdump Christmas Eve post....NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT 12/24/2019 NEWSDUMP CHRISTMAS EVE

Peter Hitchens wrote a column about the rewriting of Charles Dickens by the BBC and its at his blog...
HITCHENS BLOG

75 years ago Christmas came during a battle in the bitter cold in eastern Belgium and northern Luxembourg.   The Battle of the Bulge in full swing.

This newscast broadcast December 23, 1944........FRANK SINGISER NEWS 630 PM 12-23-1944

And the news from Christmas morning 1944........NBC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD 12-25-1944



Almost all the content war news but some other news in there too like the December 23rd  broadcast reporting on the government crackdown on horse racing tracks.    The war an excuse for government to shut things down like live entertainment after midnight and it got to the point in early 1945 where they shut down jukeboxes being played after midnight at restaurants, bars etc. etc.

People needed to go home and sleep so they could work in the morning on the war effort.

And the December 25th broadcast putting out the news that bandleader Glenn Miller was missing.

I guess there was a Newsdump back then, too.



Here are some segments from the movie "Patton" related to the Battle of the Bulge...VIDEO LINK....VIDEO LINK and then there's this 15 minute segment from the "Patton 360" describing the fight to break through to Bastogne.....PATTON 360 BATTLE OF THE BULGE



Music Links:



"WHEN A CHILD IS BORN"-THE SEEKERS



"O HOLY NIGHT"-PERRY COMO



"THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY"-BING CROSBY AND DAVID BOWIE



"JOY TO THE WORLD"-NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA



As we approach midnight in the Eastern US for Christmas Day here's a link to the NORAD Santa Tracker.........


NORAD SANTA TRACKER


We've had everyone over tonight to unwrap presents and share some time  together and I'm going to bed with plans to share more tomorrow on Christmas Day.



On this Christmas Eve at around 10:36 Eastern US time but 7:36 local time a 6.2 earthquake west of the northern part of Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

No reports of damage or injuries and no tsunami threat to report as a result.

This link to the tsunami warning page of the National Weather Service......


NOAA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE US TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM

BACK ON CHRISTMAS DAY FOR MORE AND THE LATEST NEWS OF TODAY IS POSTED AT THE LINK HERE......NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT WEDNESDAY 12/25/2019 CHRISTMAS DAY

Music Links:

"MISTLETOE AND WINE"-CLIFF RICHARD

"GOOD KING WENCESLAS"-THE IRISH ROVERS

"SNOOPY'S CHRISTMAS"-THE ROYAL GUARDSMEN

Well here we are and I'm not trying to do much.   Got dinner to work on later.   I worked up some news and it looks like there's plenty out there as you can read in the linked post further above.


And here's a look back at Christmas 50 years ago with Bob Hope at the Long Binh base in Vietnam.



BOB HOPE IN VIETNAM 1969



That's the way Bob Hope did it for the people who served in Vietnam.



Looking out across cyberspace today I see Maxine Bernstein of "OregonLive" offering up some retweets and here's one of them....."On a Christmas Eve long ago......"


Also best wishes from Colonel Pat Lang over at the "Sic Semper Tyrannis" blog.......SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

And lets take a trip to Christmas past and the Dean Martin Christmas Show of 1968 with Bob Newhart among the guests and some cameos from a whole bunch of celebrities of that time, I mean a whole bunch.


DEAN MARTIN 1968 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL


Time to say Good Night and God Bless.    Another Unplugged scheduled for Saturday.


Music from Nat King Cole's Christmas Album.....


NAT KING COLE-THE BEST OF CHRISTMAS (FULL ALBUM)

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT TUESDAY 12/24/2019  NEWSDUMP CHRISTMAS EVE

(SERVICE AT INTERVALS DURING THE DAY WITH WRAP UP LATE TUESDAY NIGHT EASTERN US TIME)

Previously undisclosed internal messages related to the Boeing 737 Max turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration yesterday.

The move came the same day that Boeing fired its CEO amidst the continued grounding of the aircraft following two deadly accidents.

BNN Bloomberg has this report.....LINK

Democrat Presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg's campaign has ended a relationship with a call center company named "ProCorn".     His move came after a published report that "ProCorn"  uses prison labor with two of the company's call centers operating out of state prisons in Oklahoma.

"We didn't know about this and we never would have allowed it if we had"

That's what a spokesperson for the Bloomberg campaign is telling the media.

CNN reported on the story.......LINK

The leaders of Japan and South Korea meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu today.

It will offer an opportunity for Japan and South Korea to deal with a rift between their countries that goes back to the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945.

The talks also come amid North Korea's signals that its about to break away from talking with the United States about denuclearization and conduct a provocative missile test in the coming days.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS THE US IS READY TO DEAL WITH ANY 'CHRISTMAS GIFT' THAT NORTH KOREA SUGGESTS IT WILL DELIVER DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.   HE SPOKE TO REPORTERS IN FLORIDA TODAY.

There's chit chat about what happened at the Christmas party President Trump attended this evening .     That's because he spoke briefly with legal scholar Alan Dershowitz.    Speculation that Dershowitz will join the President's legal team to defend him during the upcoming impeachment trial in the Senate.

A warning from the United States about the United Kingdom using the Chinese firm Huawei for its 5G network.   US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien interviewed by the "Financial Times" saying among other things:

"It is somewhat shocking to us that folks in the UK would look at Huawei as some sort of commercial decision, 5G is a national security decision"

O'Brien says allowing Huawei 5G into the UK would allow the country's national security secrets to be stolen.

The story as published by the "Epoch Times"......LINK

Flash mobs of protesters appeared as shopping malls in Hong Kong Christmas Eve chanting slogans including "Hong Kong independence".    Police attacked them with pepper spray and batons.   The protesters fighting back with umbrellas and other objects.

Protesters also visible in a major shopping district.     They wore masks and reindeer horns.  Police used tear gas and in one case a gun was pointed by police at protesters.   The police made arrests.

More from "Al Jazeera" in  Qatar.......LINK     Here is a 73 minute video from "Global News" in Canada of the protest tonight in Hong Kong....VIDEO LINK

Raging forest fires engulfing homes in Valparaiso, Chile today and at least 80 reported destroyed by early evening.    Mass evacuations in the city and power shut off to tens of thousands of homes.

Chile's "24 Horas" is providing news coverage this evening.....VIDEO LINK    The BBC has published a story....LINK

RUSSIA SAYS IT SHOT DOWN TWO DRONES ATTACKING ITS HMEIMIM AIRBASE IN SYRIA LATE SUNDAY NIGHT.

Iraq's parliament has passed an electoral reform law.   Passage of the law a major demand of protesters on the streets in recent months.

The reform law will create electoral districts to replace proportional lists of candidates in future elections.

The US Ambassador to the African nation of Zambia recalled after the Zambian government objected to his criticism of a 15 year prison sentence imposed on two gay men after they had engaged in sex.

At the time of Daniel Foote's criticism, the country's foriegn minister  Joseph Malanji had said:

"You cannot ask a government to make a decision at gun point-because we are giving you aid, we want you to do this"

The BBC reports on this story......LINK

The co-founder of Uber and its one time CEO Travis Kalanick is leaving the company's board at year's end.   Kalanick had stepped down as CEO in 2017 but remained on the board for the last two years.  He recently sold off  most of his shares in the company.

He says now is the right time "to focus on my current business and philantropic pursuits" according to a statement released by Uber.

A big music festival was held in Saudi Arabia last week praised by influencer-attendee celebrities posting on social media from it.

But ignored were the human rights abuses of Saudi Arabia with organizers accused of taking "blood money" from the Saudi government trying to improve the country's international image.

"The Age" newspaper from Melbourne, Australia has more......LINK

A jihadist attack in the African nation of Burkina Faso today with more than 100 killed.   The  battle in the northern town of Arbinda near the border with Mali.

35 civilians and seven soldiers dead along with 80 of the attacking jihadists.

More from the "Voice of America"......LINK

Two more women have filed suit accusing the late Jeffrey Epstein of sexually abusing them when they were teenagers.   These accusations are from 1984 and 1999.

The "New York Post" reports......LINK

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office reviewing eight different accusations against movie producer Harvey Weinstein.    Weinstein is set to go on trial in New York January 6th on charges of rape and sexual assault.

More from "Variety"......LINK

A court in Moscow extending the detention of multinational citizen and former US Marine Paul Whelan today.     Whelan was arrested last December 28th on espionage charges.    He holds US, Canadian, British and Irish passports.

The US has called for Whelan's release as well as the other nations whose passports he holds. 

The Russian President Vladimir Putin condemning the Polish ambassador to Germany in the 1930's for his praise of Adolf Hitler uncovered in archive documents.  

Putin noting the ambassador thought a monument should be erected in Warsaw to honor Hitler because of his 1930's notion to expel Jews to Africa.

Putin referring to him as "scum" and an "anti-Semitic pig".

Today the speaker of Russia's legislature, the Duma,  Vyacheslav Volodin, says Polish authorities must apologize for their country's collaboration with the Nazis in the 1930's.

Earlier this year Israel was involved in a row with Poland when its foreign minister said that Poles collaborated with Nazi Germany and was supported in his view by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Poland had passed a law criminalizing statements that Poles had collaborated with Nazi Germany.

More from "Tass" in Russia on Mr. Putin's comments.......LINK.    And a story on Mr. Volodin's comments....LINK

FROM INDONESIA AN ACCIDENT WHERE AT LEAST 28 HAVE DIED WHEN A BUS PLUNGED DOWN A RAVINE AND INTO A RIVER.    THE BUS CARRYING 37 PASSENGERS AND A DRIVER WAS HEADING TOWARDS THE CITY OF PALEMBANG ON THE ISLAND OF SUMATRA.


And for now that's the way it really is on this Christmas Eve, December 24th, 2019.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT MONDAY 12/23/2019   NEWSDUMP CHRISTMAS WEEK

(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH LATE MONDAY)

A court in Saudi Arabia handing down five death sentences in connection with the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2nd, 2017.

Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government, wrote articles for the "Washington Post".

A Saudi prosecutor called the killing a "rogue operation" and 11 people were put on trial over the killing but recorded evidence from Turkish authorities and other intelligence information points to involvement at the highest level of Saudi government, the country's de-facto ruler,  Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

None of the 11 tried were named by the Saudis and a UN expert has called for the Crown Prince to be investigated in connection with the murder.

It was the most downloaded social app in the US last week but the "New York Times" reports that ToTok is a spying tool for the United Arab Emirates.

ToTok according to the "Times" is actually a covert operation of a company called DarkMatter.   DarkMatter is based at Abu Dhabi in the Emirates and is believed to have hired former Israeli intelligence officers for large salaries.

More on this from "Haaretz" in Israel......LINK

The CEO of Boeing, Dennis Muilenberg, fired today.   Muilenberg replaced with Chairman of the Board Dennis Calhoun.

The company struggling amidst a crisis involving its Boeing 737 Max aircraft, grounded around the world following two deadly plane crashes.

In Argentina emergency economic measures announced by the country's new left wing government this evening.

Tax hikes imposed on foreign currency purchases, agricultural exports and car sales.

Those measures impacting the middle and upper classes.     The government of the new President Alberto Fernandez also handing out a 160 dollar bonus to pensioners and freezing utility rates for six months.

Riot police clashing with protesters at the Gare de Lyon metro station in Paris today as the strike and protests against President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform plan continue.

Strikers on France's railroads easing their job action so special rail traffic can flow before Christmas including special travel arrangements for children.

Talks between the government and unions set for January 7th.

Video of today's metro station protest from "LCI" in France......LINK

From the political drama in Washington as Democrats demand an impeachment trial with witnesses the notion again mentioned by Democrat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the Republican Senate Majority Leader also had something to say, too.

Mitch McConnell saying that he hasn't ruled out the notion of witnesses also noting there's an impasse and urging everyone "to enjoy the holidays".

In a tweet this evening, President Trump said that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is on her way to losing the Speakership in next year's elections and that she is trying to "take over the Senate" with her refusal to pass along the articles of impeachment:

LINK TO PRESIDENT TRUMP TWEET 513 PM EASTERN US 12/23/2019

A member of the US military killed in action in northern Afghanistan Monday.   The Taliban taking responsibility for the killing.  The Pentagon announcing the death and withholding the name until family are notified.      20 members of the US military killed in action this year in Afghanistan.

IN SYRIA THE GOVERNMENT FORCES CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS IN THEIR OFFENSIVE IN SOUTHERN IDLIB ADVANCING WESTWARD TOWARDS THE KEY M5 HIGHWAY.      JIHADIST FORCES ARE SAID TO BE TRYING TO NEGOTIATE THE GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF THE CITY OF MAARAT AL NUMAN.

Iran is prepared to take a fifth step in moving away from the JCPOA nuclear agreement of 2015 unless the United Kingdom, France and Germany take steps to uphold their commitments to maintain trade with Iran guaranteed under the agreement.

President Trump has withdrawn the US from the JCPOA and imposed steadily increasing sanctions on Iran.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani delivered the warning on Sunday.

Iran's "Press TV' has more.....LINK

The Libyan National Army, which controls the eastern part of the country, threatening to shoot down aircraft carrying military supplies to the Government of National Accord based in Tripoli.

The LNA says it monitored an aircraft that flew from Istanbul to Libya carrying military equipment.

Turkey and the LNA have signed a military cooperation agreement.

Details on this story from Iran's "Press TV"......LINK

And the Christmas message of Her Majesty The Queen is leaking out 48 hours before its broadcast to the world on the afternoon of Christmas Day.

She says the past year has been "quite bumpy".      The BBC offers its interpretation......LINK

And for now that's the way it really is Monday December 23rd, 2019.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT SUNDAY 12/22/2019 HAPPY HANUKKAH NEWSDUMP

SYRIAN MEDIA REPORTED THE ACTIVATION OF AIR DEFENSES AND INTERCEPTION OF MISSILES FIRED FROM ISRAEL SUNDAY EVENING IN THE DAMASCUS AREA.

A REPORT FROM LEBANON SAID THAT ISRAELI AIRCRAFT WERE SIGHTED OVER SIDON LEBANON TONIGHT.

THE PRO-OPPOSITION SYRIAN OBSERVATORY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SAID THE MISSILE ATTACKS WERE AIMED AT "SYRIAN REGIME" AND "IRANIAN" TARGETS

MORE FROM "ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS"......LINK

AND THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT SANA NEWS AGENCY PUBLISHED THIS....LINK


From the northwestern Idlib region the latest word is of a rapid Syrian army advance today that has captured ten towns including the town of al-Tah, largest in southeastern Idlib.


The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says that 106 jihadists have died in current Syrian army drive in Idlib.

"Pure anti-Semitism.....we will not bow our heads"

Some of the message from Israel's Prime Minister regarding  the International Criminal Court's intention to investigate Israel for war crimes.

Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at a candle lighting ceremony in Jerusalem to mark the beginning of Hanukkah.


More on this event from "Israel National News".....LINK

Israel's Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit says he "resolutely rejects" the notion that the International Criminal Court has the basis for an investigation of alleged Israeli war crimes in Palestinian territories.

The Israeli AG says that Israel did not sign onto the treaty that would have placed it under jurisdiction of the ICC.

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also come out in opposition saying in part on Twitter:

"We firmly oppose this unjustified inquiry that unfairly targets Israel"

On Friday the ICC's chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said she was moving forward with a probe against Israel but would need a ruling from the international court on the legalities of the scope of the investigation.


IN  LEBANON TODAY MORE PROTESTS ON THE STREETS WITH SOME HIGHWAYS BLOCKED IN BEIRUT AND OTHER CITIES.

DEMONSTRATORS PROTESTING AGAINST THE NEWLY DESIGNATED PRIME MIISTER HASSAN DIAB.     HE'S BACKED BY SHIA GROUPS AND CHRISTIAN GROUPS, BUT NOT BY SUNNI GROUPS IN THE COUNTRY.

"We passed this bill to help the persecuted"

The words of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi today speaking in defense of the citizenship bill that opens the door to Indian citizenship for non-Muslims from neighboring countries.

More than 20 have died in protests against the legislation that first came from northeastern Indians worried about an immigration tide from neighboring Bangladesh but then spread into Muslim areas across India.

The government crackdown on protests includes the shutting down of the internet in many cases.

"The meeting was neither small talk nor just a protocol event"

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed his December 10th meeting with President Trump in a Russian television interview today.    Lavrov said that Russia and the United States have serious differences on some issues like Iran's nuclear program.  He noted regarded the discussion with the President:

"It was substantive and we probably discussed a dozen of vital issues, including bilateral relations, strategic security issues, arms control and various regional conflicts, namely the Middle East, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula.    We had a very direct conversation on all these issues and there were no attempts to cut corners."

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

A Turkish delegation will visit Moscow tomorrow to discuss the situation in Idlib where Syrian ground forces are launching attacks and Russian and Syrian air forces are in action.    They are launching attacks in response to jihadist and other opposition forces supported by Turkey violations of a deconfliction zone in the area to be jointly administered by Russia and Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdgoan says that his country is trying to stop attacks in Idlib and "will decide which steps to make next" after the Moscow talks.

The Turkish leader also saying some 80-thousand refugees have fled the fighting in Idlib to areas near the Turkish border and that the country cannot handle anymore refugees.    He said any new refugee tide into Turkey will be felt by all of Europe.

'WE ARE FOREIGN PRISONERS IN SHANGHAI QINGPU PRISON CHINA.  FORCED TO WORK AGAINST OUR WILL.  PLEASE HELP US AND NOTIFY HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION"

This was part of the message in all capital letters a six-year old British girl found when she was writing out Christmas cards in a southern suburb of London.

The cards were produced in China for the UK's Tesco supermarket chain.   Tesco said Sunday that it's suspending production of the cards.

The BBC published this story about the matter......LINK



THE EARLY AFGHAN ELECTION RESULTS SHOW THE INCUMBENT ASHRAF GHANI WINNING A NARROW VICTORY WITH 50.64 PERCENT OF THE VOTE.

MAIN CHALLENGER ABDULLAH ABDULLAH  IS SHOW WINNING JUST UNDER 40 PERCENT OF THE VOTE.

HE REJECTS THE EARLY RESULTS AND IS CHALLENGING THEM WITH AN APPEAL BEFORE FINAL RESULTS ARE CERTIFIED.


And for now that's the way it really is Sunday December 22nd, 2019.

NEXTRUSH UNPLUGGED:  SATURDAY NIGHT VERSION RUSSIA IS BAD FOR BUSINE$$

NEWSDUMP UPDATE-SWISS FIRM SUSPENDS PIPELINE OPERATIONS AS US SANCTIONS OF NORD STREAM 2 ARE SIGNED INTO LAW

The Swiss firm Allseas has suspended its pipeline laying operations for the Nord Stream 2 project that would export Russian natural gas under the Baltic Sea directly to Germany.

Allseas studying the ramifications of the sanctions signed into law Friday night by President Trump in the National Defense Authorization Act.

The sanctions aimed at firms involved in Nord Stream 2.

The Russian news agency Tass reporting today that Nord Stream project companies will finish the project as soon as possible.....LINK

NEWSDUMP UPDATE-HEAVY CASUALTIES IN NORTHWESTERN SYRIA FIGHTING

The top Russian general in Syria says some 200 members of the jihadist opposition forces were killed or wounded in Thursday night fighting in Idlib province.

17 Syrian soliders died and 42 were wounded.

A government offensive has been underway since then taking a number of towns and villages in southeastern Idlib.

The  government's Syrian Arab News Agency has released photos of the offensive which are on the "Southfront" website........LINK

NEWSDUMP UPDATE-BRITISH GOVERNMENT APPROVES US COMPANY TAKEOVER OF DEFENSE CONTRACTOR

On Friday evening the British government announced approval of the takeover of defense and aerospace firm Cobham by the US private equity firm Advent International.

A government report said that risks to national security had been reduced to a level that was acceptable in connection with the takoever.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said today that there is a "need for an open and dynamic market economy" when asked about the matter.

More from the BBC.....LINK       More on the political reaction......LINK

Music Links:



"WHAT CHILD IS THIS"-ANDY WILLIAMS



"OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM"-NAT KING COLE



"SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN"-THE CHIPMUNKS



'MISTLETOE AND WINE'-CLIFF RICHARD

HATING RUSSIA IS GOOD FOR AMERICAN BUSINESS

Well here we are the Saturday before Christmas and the time for "hating and fighting to cease" well at least we can hope for that and live that in our lives in the here and now.


The "hate" is out there and it was George W. Bush from the energy producing state of Texas who politely spoke of the United States having:

"competitors"

out there like China for example.     

A nation competing for business opportunities in the world like 5G service as being pushed by the Chinese firm Huawei.     Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou now in legal limbo arrested in Canada for extradition to the USA.

And then there's Russia producing its oil and its natural gas just like Texas does.


And in Texas just three months ago President Trump on the stage in Houston with the Prime Minister of a big country that's been using a lot of Iranian oil to fuel its economy instead of that American energy that comes from Texas.

Remember "Howdy Modi"

TRUMP HOSTS INDIAN PRIME MINISTER AT 'HOWDY MODI' RALLY IN TEXAS

President Trump promoting the ties between India and the United States in a place that has energy products to fuel India's economy.

But that brings us to America's ties with an ally in recent years Germany and the strained ties over the Nord Stream 2 project that will bring Russian gas directly into Germany and other European countries.

And as the President signed the bills to spend more money so we can borrow more money from China to fund defense and domestic programs etc. etc. yesterday, included in the defense spending legislation sanctions to stop construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline system.

Co-sponsors include Democrat Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and drum roll please a senator from the energy producing state of Texas Republican Ted Cruz.


Republican Senator Jim Risch calls the legislation something that will "protect the integrity of Europe's energy sector".

If Russia can be stopped from sending natural gas to Europe the alternate supplier becomes the United States with liquefied natural gas.   It all reminds me that this hatred of Russia and the need to control and contain Russia is driven by business considerations with politicians bought and paid for by business clearly involved.

Former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke actually told an energy lobbying group in Pittsburgh some 15 months ago, the "Consumer Energy Network", that one last ditch option was a military blockade of Russian energy exports in the Middle East if needed.



INTERIOR SECRETARY NAVAL BLOCKADE TO DEAL WITH RUSSIA

As for these Nord Stream 2 sanctions former CIA employee Larry Johnson asks if they are designed to provoke Russia to war with the United States.

"PROVOKING A WAR WITH RUSSIA"-LARRY C. JOHNSON

All this hostility to Russia drives it towards the ultimate competitor-adversary China or are we so d**ned dependent on Chinese money now to fuel our massive national debt that Russia gets the s**t dumped on it.

Music Links:

"GET DOWN"-GILBERT O'SULLIVAN

"MR. DOODLES"-DONNA FARGO

"COTTON JENNY"-ANNE MURRAY

"IF YOU LOVE ME (LET ME KNOW)"-OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN



Well back to the news and the reaction from Germany not positive at all to the sanctions over Nord Stream 2.     Here's a story published by "The Telegraph" in the UK......



"BERLIN OUTRAGED....."-THE TELEGRAPH 12/21/2019



And as you read all the stories you realize that this gas pipline affects Ukraine as well, oh my......


Its feared that Russian gas may not being going through Ukraine anymore.


What kind of money has Ukraine put into US politics?     Rudy Guiliani has a lot to say about that but we all know that Burisma (Ukrainian energy firm) gave Joe Biden's some 38 payments of 83-thousand dollars a month (over 3 million dollars total).

In the Newsdump going into the weekend the suspension of Twitter accounts linked to the Saudi spying case where the Saudis were operating an "information operation" to propagandize for the land of Bin Laden.

More here.....REUTERS STORY LINK SAUDI LINKED ACCOUNTS SUSPENDED BY TWITTER

 Music Links:

"ANYONE WHO HAD A HEART"-CILLA BLACK

"MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA"-GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS



"ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS"-PERRY COMO



"CHANUKAH SONG"-ADAM SANDLER



And here we are Happy Hanukkah is rapidly approaching sundown tomorrow.


In France President Macron trying to deal with a strike over pension benefits because like so many Western nations there really is no more money left.to spend on pensions unless you want to borrow to infinity from China or other nations that have money like the Gulf Arabs or maybe Japan.

His scheme to combine 42 pension plans into one not fooling anyone.   People know their bennies are being lost and 57 percent are opposed to the idea.

Macron has to con the public into supporting "pension reform" but of course if that fails his government promising police and the military in France they will not lose pension benefits.

The French president putting on a show in Africa visiting French troops before Christmas.


The government announcing the killing of 33 jihadists but the BBC publishing its doubts about what's happening in the Sahel region asking if France is losing to the terrorists.....LINK


More on the current French situation in our Yellow Vests Week 58 post........FRANCE YELLOW VESTS WEEK 58 POST


And British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the move with a Christmas trip to British soldiers sitting right next to Russia in the Baltic nation of Estonia.    850 of them to be exact.   Today "Al" Johnson served up a Christmas lunch to the troops....;.VIDEO LINK



Music Links:



"LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW"-VAUGHN MONROE (LIVE VIDEO)



"DOCTOR, LAWYER, INDIAN CHIEF"-BETTY HUTTON



"THE OLD LAMPLIGHTER"-SAMMY KAYE



"OLE BUTTERMILK SKY"-KAY KYSER AND HIS ORCHESTRA WITH MIKE DOUGLAS VOCAL



Well Vaughn Monroe singing "his song" "Let It Snow" just put me in the mood for some classic music from 1946.

The last song there was from Kay Kyser's band with a singer named  "Michael Douglas" but decades later we would see him on television in the 1960's to 1980's as a talk show host.

Everybody that was anybody appeared on his show that started in Cleveland and moved to Philadelphia being produced down on Independence Mall at KYW-TV for distribution to local television all over the country.

Here's a sample of what "The Mike Douglas Show" looked like in 1969 with his "co-hosts" Sonny and Cher as you'll see......LINK

NEWS UPDATE-SHIP WITH TURKISH CREW REPORTED SEIZED OFF LIBYAN COAST

Hours after Turkey's parliament passed the agreement for cooperation between Turkey and the UN recognized Government of National Accord in Libya, the rebel Libyan National Army put out the word that late tonight a ship was seized off the northern coast.

The vessel was flagged by Grenada with a Turkish crew.

The GNA backed by Turkey, Italy and France with the LNA backed by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Russia.

This is what Russia's "Sputnik" news site is publishing tonight......LINK

BREAKING NEWS-BERLIN CHRISTMAS MARKET EVACUATED TWO SUSPECTS ARRESTED

In Berlin the Christmas market where a terrorist attack killed 12 in 2016 was evacuated tonight after a suspicious object was sighted.

Two suspects reported arrested described as Syrians with bomb making experience.

A story published by the "New York Post" tonight......LINK



Music Links:



"ROCKIN AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE'-BRENDA LEE



"SNOOPY'S CHRISTMAS VERSUS THE RED BARON"-THE ROYAL GUARDSMEN



"SILENT NIGHT"-NAT KING COLE



"JINGLE BELLS"-DEAN MARTIN



Whoa Dean Martin sings it only the way Dean Martin could.     Dean a big drinking type of guy and I call myself a drunk, too.    I moved away from booze but guys like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra they lived wild and crazy lives in their own right just like I did.

I don't claim to be better than those guys and I watched them on TV when I was a kid in shows like this one for Christmas in 1967 the show airing 42 years ago tonight December 21st, 1967.   Their families are involved in the show as well......


"CHRISTMAS WITH THE MARTINS AND THE SINATRAS"-DECEMBER 1967



Music Links:



"I APOLOGIZE"-BILLY ECKSTINE



"MARIA ELENA"-LOS INDIOS TABAJARAS



"DO WAH DIDDY"-MANFRED MANN



"SIMPLE SIMON SAYS"-1910 FRUITGUM COMPANY



Some of what they called "bubble gum rock" aimed at younger children in the 1960's and 1970's and that "Simple Simon Says" reminds me of US District Judge Michael Simon.

He held a Saturday hearing of the kind you don't normally have in federal court out in Portland, Oregon and followed up with an injunction to stop a rule to require immigrants to have proof of health insurance.

Yesterday the Friday before Christmas Judge Simon again striking out with a ruling that took away the grazing permit for the Hammonds out in Harney County, Oregon.    They were pardoned by President Trump after the Bundys and the late LaVoy Finicum brought their case to the attention of the world with the Oregon Standoff protest in 2016.


THE OREGON STANDOFF PROTEST DONE IN THE NAME OF 'LOVE THY NEIGHBOR' AS IN THE HAMMONDS AND LAVOY FINICUM PAID WITH HIS LIFE IN THAT FBI LED OPERATION.   GOD BLESS HIS MEMORY.

KEEP UP WITH HIS WIDOW AND FAMILY AND THEIR EFFORT WITH THE CIVIL SUIT OUT IN OREGON HERE......



LAVOY FINICUM'S STAND FOR FREEDOM FACEBOOK



Onto the news summary.........

THE REAL NEWS SUMMARY

In North Korea ruler Kim Jong-un meeting with the country's military leaders to discuss various matters with tensions running high.

North Korea demanding that the US back off from sanctions by the end of the year or else.

The meeting seen as a prelude to a meeting of the ruling party's central committee expected to make decisions related to North Korea's future policy.

More from the "Japan Times"......LINK

Also North Korea was discussed in a phone conversation late Saturday Japan time (Saturday morning in the US) between President Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"They are violating the Constitution"

President Trump's response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's delay in sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate.

The President speaking as the Turning Point USA conservative student conference.


The White House video of his speech is at this link......VIDEO LINK

President Trump speaking with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe following Abe's meeting with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani.

Abe said President Trump requested the conversation where the Japanese leader explained the results of his talks with the Iranian president.

They spoke for a total of 75 minutes with North Korea also part of the conversation.

More from Japan's "Kyodo News"......LINK

The voters in the southeastern European nation of Croatia voting the Sunday before Christmas on the country's new president.    The unusually scheduled election seen as an attempt by the "conservative" HDZ party to boost the re-election chances of incumbent President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.

She is opposed by a candidate on the "Left" former premier Zoran Milanovic and the "Far-Right" candidate folk singer Miroslav Skoro.

The top two finishers tomorrow face each other in a January 5th runoff election.

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

The former Bolivian president Evo Morales calling on his supporters to come to the border between Bolivia and Argentina a week from Sunday (December 29th).

Morales told a local radio station in Argentina where he was granted political asylum that the rally will choose his Movement for Socialism's candidate in the upcoming presidential election.

Morales said that Argentina will provide security for the event.   Just days ago Bolivia issued an arrest warrant for Morales accusing him of sedition.

And for now that's the way it really is on this Saturday night December 21st, 2019.

On into the night with music.

Good Night and God Bless.



Music Links:



"BECAUSE"-THE DAVE CLARK FIVE



"THE RAIN, THE PARK AND OTHER THINGS"-THE COWSILLS



"DOMINIQUE"-THE SINGING NUN



"QUE SERA, SERA"-DORIS DAY