NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT THURSDAY 10/31/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE WITH FINAL POSTING LATE THURSDAY)

"The Greatest Witch Hunt In American History!"

President Trump summing things up as the House voted to move forward with its "impeachment process".

The vote 232 to 196 with all the yes votes Democrats and all but two of the no votes Republicans.

The President did an interview with Nigel Farage on his LBC Radio show within a few hours of the House vote.....LINK     * 2 PM Eastern US Time*

Regarding the "impeachment process" Trump said:

"The Democrats are desperate.  They have nothing.  They've got nothing going......It's the only way they're going to try to win the election...."

The President also noting that there was nothing illegal or improper about his phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calling it a "perfect phone call" a "great call" and "a very appropriate call".

Trump also talked with Farage about the "Great New Deal" Prime Minister Boris Johnson cut with the European Union noting that when it comes to trade:

"We want to do trade with the UK and they want to do trade with us and to be honest with you this deal under certain aspects of the deal you can't do it"

Trump also saying that Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn would be "so bad" if he won the upcoming December 12th election in the UK.

Soldiers and police moving to clear highways in Lebanon today with calls for things to return to normal in the country.

Saad Hariri, who resigned as Prime Minister, is expected to come back leading a new government int the days ahead.

An Israeli drone came under attack as it operated over Lebanon today.    Israel says the drone was not hit.

The protest demonstrations continuing in Bolivia against questionable election results that showed a win for long-time left-wing President Evo Morales.

Two have died in the protests and the "New York Times" reported today that a "sizeable segment of the armed forces warned that they would not crack down on demonstrators".

At least 74 died in Pakistan today in a train fire.  Dozens of others are injured.  The fire reported caused by a gas cylinder being used by passengers to cook.

Two North Korean projectiles fired into the Sea of Japan today.   North Korea has been expressing increasing impatience over the US position in negotiations over its nuclear program.

Late tonight the Russian air defenses at the Hmeimim air base in northern Syria intercepted several drones.   No claim of responsibility for the attempt to attack the base but jihadists in northwestern Syria believed responsible.

The Russian Air Force in action Wednesday with at least 28 airstrikes on jihadist opposition forces in northwestern Syria's Idlib province.

"Southfront" has more with some videos.....LINK

The 11 day long teachers strike in Chicago is over.    Teachers to get higher pay and lower class sizes under the agreement.    Students back in school tomorrow.

The merger of automakers PSA Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler has been announced as a 50-50 joining together of the two companies.   More details from "BNN Bloomberg".....LINK

The next presidential election in France isn't coming until 2022 but there's been polling this week of how a first round contest would come out.

Leading the pack in a virtual tie incumbent President Emmanuel Macron and the leader of the opposition National Rally Marine Le Pen.    Macron at 27-29 percent of the vote with Le Pen at 27.5-29 percent of the vote.

Well behind them the leader of the Left in France Jean Luc-Melenchon with 12.5-13 percent.

The top two finishers will move onto a second round of voting in France's next presidential election unless one can get 50 percent of the vote which is unlikely.

The Speaker of the House of Commons is considered by tradition an umpire in the happenings of the House but John Bercow gained a reputation as more than that in recent months making rulings deliberately designed to affect the course of Parliament on Brexit.

Bercow also stirring up controversy with his public comments outside the House including some directed at President Trump.

And for now that the way it really is Wednesday October 31st, 2019.

Today his last day as Speaker and members paid tribute to him as he sat in his chair.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT WEDNESDAY 10/30/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE THAT WILL CONCLUDE LATE WEDNESDAY)

Twitter banning all political advertising.    The new policy tweeted by CEO Jack Dorsey today.    Dorsey has been grilled by Congress on social media and politics and the notion of foreign governments influencing them.

Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg told Congress last week that politicians have the right to free speech using the Facebook platform.

A Russian computer hacker is set for extradition from Israel to the United States.    The "Jerusalem Post" reporting on the case of Alexei Burkov and Tass has more.....LINK

This case reported linked to the detention of Israeli citizen Naama Issachar on drug trafficking charges in Russia.   More on that from "Ynet" in Israel.....LINK

From the political drama in Washington John Bolton called to testify before the "impeachment inquiry".

The former National Security Adviser reported not willing to testify unless he's subpoenaed.

National Security Agency Russia staffer Tim Morrison set to testify tomorrow and reported to have resigned ahead of his testimony.

In Portland, Oregon a prominent Democratic Party donor and his former lawyer arrested on computer crime charges related to witness tampering in a child sex abuse case.  The witness was set to testify against Democrat donor and gay rights activist developer Terry Bean.

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

In Iraq, the port of Basra disputed by the ongoing protests.  Operations came to a near standstill Wednesday as protesters blockaded the facility where the food that helps to feed the country is imported.

Port authorities are talking to the protesters to negotiate an end to the blockade.

Two important political figures in Iraq have committed themselves to the removal of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and his rival Hadi al-Amiri working to oust Abdul Mahdi from power.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging protesters in both Iraq and Lebanon to pursue legal means to have their demands met saying:

"The people have justifiable demands, but they should know that their demands can only be fulfilled within the legal structure and framework of their country"

Khamenei also saying that the US, Israel and other countries are mostly behind the protests in both countries.

More from "BNN Bloomberg"......LINK

Two rockets landed near the US Embassy in Baghdad's "Green Zone" with one killing an Iraqi solider and wounding others.  More from Iran's "Press TV".....LINK

Iran's "Press TV" quoting the Syrian Arab News Agency reporting fighting between Syrian and Turkish forces in northeastern Syria....LINK

As far as reporting from SANA on its English language website regarding Turkish  activity in Syria is concerned this is a sample....LINK

"Southfront" suggests that the reported fighting could "re-escalate" the situation in northeastern Syria....LINK

Turkey summoning the US Ambassador after the Democrat controlled House passed a resolution recognizing the killing of Armenians in World War I as genocide.

Congress also voted to impose sanctions on Turkey yesterday.

The Turkish Foreign Minister said believed Congress was acting in revenge against President Trump as he condemned the move.

Chile pulling out of hosting a climate change summit in December because of the massive protests in the country and also pulling out of next month's APEC trade summit.

President Trump was planning to meet China's President Xi Jinping at the trade summit.

The last major obstacle to the direct supply of Russian natural gas to Germany has been removed with approval a regulatory agency in Denmark to allow the Nord Stream 2 pipeline through Danish territorial waters.

The United States and other countries had condemned the Nord Stream 2 project saying it could increase Europe's energy dependence on Russia.   The US is also seeking to sell liquid natural gas produced here to Europe via container ships.

The Danish Energy Agency's approval can be contested in the next four weeks.

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

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT TUESDAY 10/29/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE THROUGH LATE TUESDAY NIGHT)

The political drama in Washington and we now know the details of a resolution House Democrats will pass Thursday regarding the "impeachment process".    Open hearings unlike the current closed door ones are envisioned down the road next month.

The Democrats have not given the Republicans absolute authority to call witnesses for the hearings which they will hold for themselves.

The White House issuing a statement this evening saying among other things that the resolution confirms that the impeachment effort is an "illegitimate sham".

The full statement at the link.......HERE

The protests in Iraq with reports that as many as 20 people have been killed in the city of Karbala when protesters were attacked by masked gunmen.

Karbala is a city of religious significance in Shia Islam and the incident could provide a trigger for further violence.

But local officials there say video circulated online is fake and that no such incident occurred.

Iraq appears to be going through the same kind of conditions that led to the civil wars in Libya and Syria in 2011 promoted by outside governments and forces.

Similar conditions seem also to be developing in Lebanon where after some nearly two weeks of demonstrations, Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned today.

He said:

"It has become necessary for us to make a great shock to fix the crisis"

A protest camp was attacked in Beirut today with claims that the attackers dressed in black were supporters of the Iranian backed Hezbollah movement.  Video is at the link......HERE

Here is live video from "Ruptly" of a protest in Beirut as of early evening local time......LINK......

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for a "stable" government in Lebanon with France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian urging authorities in the country to "guarantee the stability of the institutions and the unity of Lebanon".

US TREASURY SECRETARY STEPHEN MNUCHIN AMONG THE DIGNITARIES IN SAUDI ARABIA FOR A MAJOR INVESTMENT MEETING.   THIS ONE BROUGHT IN PEOPLE WHO STAYED AWAY FROM A SIMILAR MEETING LAST YEAR OVER THE MURDER OF JOURNALIST JAMAL KHASHOGGI AT THE SAUDI CONSULATE IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY.

Russia announcing the completion of the withdrawal of Kurdish forces from the "safe zone" in northeastern Syria today.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an anti-government organization funded by foreign governments, claims clashes between Syrian and Turkish forces in northeastern Syria today.

Kurdish media also reporting an incident where pro-Turkish jihadists-extremists attacked Russian military police, but Syrian government sources say there was no such incident.

And from Russia a flat out denial that such an incident occurred.   More from Tass....LINK

Yesterday the Turks said one of their soldiers was killed, five wounded in a fight with Kurdish forces in Ras Al-Ayn, Syria on the Syria-Turkey border.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson successfully maneuvered today to set a December 12th General Election with polls putting his party in a favorable position going in.

Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn threw his support behind the legislation to allow an early election with the European Union's extension of the Brexit deadline. 

It passed 438 to 20 and now goes to the House of Lords for final approval.

Mr. Johnson is welcoming 10 Conservative MP's back into the party who want to Remain in the European Union.    They were kicked out earlier for opposing a No-Deal Clean Break Brexit from the EU.     

605-thousand customers in 29 California counties having their power shut off beginning this morning.   Its the third round of power cuts this week.   Pacific Gas and Electric implementing power shut offs after it was held responsible for a deadly fire in northern California last year.

PG and E acting in the face of tinderbox conditions in California that many believe are the result of failure to properly manage trees and brush in the name of protecting the environment.

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

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT MONDAY 10/28/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE WITH FINAL POSTING LATE MONDAY)

The political drama in Washington and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi planning a Thursday vote on "procedures" for the "impeachment inquiry".

The White House says the vote proves that the process of the "impeachment inquiry" lacks any due process of law.

And the process of the "impeachment inquiry" continuing in Washington behind closed doors punctuated by news leaks about testimony from witnesses.

The European Union coming out with a flexible Brexit deadline today.    The January 31st deadline is flexible meaning the UK can leave earlier if Prime Minister Boris Johnson's "Great New Deal" with the EU is approved before then.

The decision pre-empts any notion of a Brexit this week.

In London, the push for an early election by Mr. Johnson failing Monday in a House of Commons vote on plans for a December 12th General Election.

Johnson wants to try again tomorrow.

In Lebanon the protests continued Monday with a new twist.   Cars were being placed across roads in addition to demonstrators and barricades.    Social media began spreading the idea of using cars for blocking off highways yesterday and today. 

The move comes in the face of calls by national leaders for the blockades to end and plans by the military to begin clearing highways today.

More on today's protest from "The National" in the Untied Arab Emirates......LINK

Meanwhile the governor of Lebanon's central bank told CNN that country.....LINK ......is days away from collapse unless the protests stop.....

From the protests in Iraq  eight dead and nearly 300 wounded on Monday.    The demonstrators battling the security forces at Tahrir Square in Baghdad

Tear gas and stun grenades being used to keep the demonstrators from entering the "Green Zone" of the city where government buildings are located.   Thousands of students joining the ranks of the protesters today on the fourth day of a second wave of protest.

A midnight to 6 am curfew has been imposed tonight in Baghdad.

This video clip is from Saudi Arabia's government owned "Al Hadath" news channel reporting today's events.  Al Hadath banned from reporting in Iraq by the government......LINK

Also tonight a report from Iran's "Press TV" about three mortar rounds hitting a base north of Baghdad where US troops are stationed.....LINK

In Chile more protests and clashes with police in the capital Santiago and other cities today even as President Sebastian Pinera announced the replacement of eight cabinet ministers.

A shopping center fire broke out after a protest demonstration in the capital city.

A protest in Honduras with students battling police firing tear gas.   The student demonstrators demanding the resignation of President Juan Orlando Hernandez for alleged ties to drug trafficking.

TWO SHOT AND WOUNDED OUTSIDE A MOSQUE IN BAYONNE, FRANCE TODAY.

THE SUSPECTED SHOOTER WAS ARRESTED, AN 84-YEAR OLD MAN.

POLICE SAY HE FIRED AN INCENDIARY DEVICE THAT STARTED A FIRE INSIDE THE PROPERTY OF THE MOSQUE.

A new wildfire breaking out early Monday in Los Angeles along the 405 Freeway.   The freeway shut down but thousands of residents evacuating in the Sepulvada Pass area.

Winds driving the "Getty Fire" in a westward direction from the 405 and at least five homes reported destroyed.    This is a live video stream from ABC 7 in Los Angeles.....LINK......

From Italy the new twists and turns of politics.   Matteo Salvini of the League is now in opposition and working with other parties of the "Right" like the mainstream Forza Italia of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.     Salvini now supporting the European Union instead of being critical of it.

On Sunday Salvini's coalition of parties won a regional election in Umbria with 57 percent of the vote while the alliance of the mainstream Democratic Party and the Five Star Movement only got 37.5 percent of the vote.

Salvini is still talking tough on immigration but now pushing other issues like proposing a flat tax rate.

The banking giant HSBC posted a steep decline in its third quarter earnings.    The 24 percent decline in net profits announced today led to declines in the bank's stock of just over four percent early in the day.

The acting CEO, Noel Quinn, calling HSBC's performance in the US, UK and Europe "unacceptable" and saying plans for a "remodel" of its business activities in those places.

RUSSIA'S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS SAYS THAT THE JIHADISTS IN NORTHWESTERN SYRIA'S IDLIB PROVINCE ARE PREPARING "A NEW CHEMICAL PROVOCATION".  ALEXANDER SCHULGEN OFFERING THE WARNING OF A FALSE FLAG ATTACK TO THE MEDIA ON SUNDAY.

In April of 2018 an allegation of a chemical weapons attack by Syria's government led to fiery words from world leaders including President Trump and US, British and French military action against Syria.

But since then doubts have been raised about the report of the OPCW organization that confirmed the notion of such an attack.

Now a second whistle blower has emerged from within the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons saying that their findings contradicting the notion of a chemical weapons attack in Douma, Syria were suppressed.

More on this was published by "Southfront".....LINK

And for now that's the way it really is for Monday October 28th, 2019.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT SUNDAY 10/27/2019 

(SERVICE AS ABLE THROUGH LATE SUNDAY)

Recent massive street protests in Ecuador and Chile could be interpreted as evidence of a left-wing comeback in Latin America.

But tonight there is evidence in the election results coming out of Argentina.

The presidential candidate of the Left, Alberto Fernandez, is the winner defeating "Center-Right" incumbent Mauricio Macri.

Fernandez passed the 45 percent of the popular vote needed for victory gaining almost 48 percent with most of the votes counted while Macri won about 41 percent of the vote.

Argentina plagued with massive debts needing international financial support earlier this year.

Where the new leadership will look for financial support could be interesting.    Will there be reliance on the usual International Monetary Fund backing or will China become a bigger player in Argentina's debt?

ALSO TONIGHT ELECTION RESULTS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN URUGUAY WITH THE RULING LEFT FINDING A TOUGHER RESULT.  DANIEL MARTINEZ OF THE LEFT WINNING THE FIRST ROUND BUT NOT ENOUGH VOTES TO WIN OUTRIGHT.

MARTINEZ WILL FACE  LUIS LACALLE POU OF THE NATIONAL PARTY IN THE NOVEMBER 24TH RUNOFF,   MARTINEZ WITH 38 PERCENT OF THE VOTE AND PAU WITH 30 PERCENT.   TWO MAJOR OPPOSITION CANDIDATES WHO LOST IN THE FIRST ROUND ENDORSING PAU OVER MARTINEZ FOR THE SECOND ROUND.

A Democrat Congresswoman who sits on one of the committee's involved in the "impeachment probe" of President Trump announcing her resignation.

Representative Katie Hill of California posting on Twitter:

"I believe it is the best thing for my constituents, my community and our country"

Hill was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over an allegation of a sexual relationship with an aide.

She was also embroiled in controversy over her sexual conduct in general and over the publication of explicit images online.   Hill wants to pursue civil and criminal legal action over the photos. 

The BBC reports.....LINK

"Last night the United States brought the world's number one terrorist leader to justice."

The words of President Trump speaking at the White House Sunday morning....VIDEO LINK

The ISIS founder and leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed in a US military operation inside the jihadist stronghold of Idlib in northwestern Syria currently under air and ground attack by Syrian forces backed by Russian aircraft.

Al-Baghdadi detonated a suicide vest when was cornered in a tunnel.

ISIS emerged as an even more extreme outgrowth of the jihadist influx into Syria to fuel the fight against the Syrian regime of Bashar Assad in the Syrian civil war that began in 2011.

The operation that killed the ISIS leader comes as the kind of conditions that led to Syria's civil war have appeared in the neighboring nations of Iraq and Lebanon with mass street demonstrations.

President Trump praised Kurdish forces for their support in the operation and said other nations had helped including Iraq, Russia, Syria and Turkey.

THE PROTESTS CONTINUED IN IRAQ TODAY WITH ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATORS IN CONTROL OF A KEY LOCATION IN BAGHDAD.

THE ANTI TERRORIST FORCES SENT IN TO EVICT PROTESTERS FROM TAHRIR SQUARE FAILED TO DISLODGE THEM SATURDAY NIGHT.

THE SECOND ROUND OF PROTESTS IN IRAQ ARE NOW IN THEIR THIRD DAY WITH A DEATH TOLL REPORTED TO NOW BE AT LEAST 74.

IRAQ'S LARGEST POLITICAL BLOC ALIGNED WITH THE SHIA CLERIC MOQTADA AL SADR IS SAID TO HAVE WITHDRAWN ITS SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT FOR FAILING TO ENACT REFORMS.

A BRIEF STATEMENT ISSUED TONIGHT BY THE US STATE DEPARTMENT ON THE SITUATION IN IRAQ READS IN PART:

"THE UNITED STATES IS CLOSELY MONITORING THE SITUATION IN IRAQ AND CALLS ON ALL SIDES TO REJECT THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE...."-LINK

Demonstrators in Lebanon attempting to form a human chain from north to south from Tripoli in the north to Tyre in the south.

Its the 11th day of protest in the country.   Organizers calling this protest a demonstration of national unity. 

Also in Lebanon a temporary ban imposed on taking large sums of "dollar cash" out of the country.

There were protests in Haiti today with police and their supporters on the streets in protest along with the usual anti-government demonstrators.

One man beaten to death and his body burned accused of opening fire on the crowds pushing for the resignation of President Jovenel Moise.

More details from "France 24"....LINK

More protest in Hong Kong Sunday with police using tear gas and rubber bullets on protesters and in return molotov cocktails (gasoline bombs) were thrown their way.

Protesters gathered on Hong Kong's harborfront for today's protest in defiance of a government ban.

During the evening police also used water cannon on the protesters.

This is a 46 minute video of the protest situation Sunday night in Hong Kong.....LINK

This story from AFP News Agency on the Hong Kong protests...LINK....was published by "The National" in the United Arab Emirates.

In the eastern German state of Thuringia the results from Sunday's election offer more bad news for the parties in the federal government. 

The Christian Democrats losing 11.7 percent of their popular support from the last election dropping to 21.8 percent.     The Social Democrats lost 4.2 percent support dropping to 8.2 percent.  The former East German Communists, the Left, now the largest party with 31 percent support.

The anti-mass immigration Alternative for Germany rising in support 12.8 percent to 23.4 percent.

Election information being presented on ARD German television's news website....LINK

A message of impatience from North Korea which says the United States has a cold war mentality that is hostile and demands unilateral disarmament.

North Korea's Kim Jong-un has set an end of the year deadline for meaningful new proposals from the United States.

A top North Korean official Kim Yong Chol says that the warm personal relationship between President Trump and Kim Jong-un is not enough because there has been no progress made on resolving differences between the two countries.

The story from the Associated Press as published by "Time".......LINK

Political talks underway in Israel Sunday on forming a new government.   Benny Gant of the Blue and White Party has the mandate to form a governmrnt.   His party meeting with Likud in an attempt to form a "unity government" and Gantz meeting personally with Likud's leader Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israeli police are investigating whether aides of the Prime Minister harassed a witness against Mr. Netanyahu in a corruption case.   They are suspected of harassment involving Shlomo Filber, state witness in Case 4000.   

A special unit of the Israeli police have seized the cell phones of the aides as part of their probe.

Case 4000 is one of three where indictments are expected against Benjamin Netanyahu by the end of the year.

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

In California the massive Kincade Fire forcing the evacuation of some 180-thousand people in Sonoma County.   The latest is that the fire is only partially contained at five percent.  More from ABC 7 in San Francisco......LINK

Former US Representative John Conyers is dead.   He represented parts of Detroit in Congress for more than 50 years.    He chaired the House Judiciary Committee and was a critic of the FBI among other things holding hearings about the 1993 Waco deadly related activities of the agency. 

Conyers also was considered more than just a "liberal" by conservative activists of a bygone era, who all but said he was in essence a  "Communist" working undercover inside Congress.

Conyers left the House under an ethical cloud and he can also be considered a political "forefather" of the current member of Congress from Detroit, Rashida Tlaib.

And Tiger Woods securing his 82nd PGA tour victory at the Zozo Championship in Japan.   That ties the record of golfing legend Sam Snead set some 54 years ago.

And for now that's the way it really is for Sunday October 27th.......

NEXTRUSH UNPLUGGED:  SATURDAY NIGHT VERSION Y HATE RUSSIA,  I.M. 4 ROY MOORE AND MORE

Music Links:

"SOMEWHERE MY LOVE"-RAY CONNIFF (LIVE)

"LOVE ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART"-RAY CHARLES SINGERS

"GIVE ME THE SIMPLE LIFE"-ROSEMARY CLOONEY

"SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET"-TOMMY DORSEY

Some great easy listening and big band sounds to open us up to joy and celebration.   I look for the good and want to share it with you.

Canada's election day Monday brought the election of an independent candidate in the Vancouver Granville riding.

Jody Wilson-Raybould became an independent candidate after the Liberal Party kicked her out.

Her sin not participating in a plan to not prosecute the SNC-Lavalin construction firm for corruption.

Wilson-Raybould was the attorney general of Canada and in the name of protecting a big business, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party expected her to back off prosecution of SNC-Lavalin.

The political machine's messenger was the now former top civil servant Michael Wernick and here's how he delivered it...

SNC LAVALIN CASE PHONE CALL TO JODY WILSON-RAYBOULD

More from the CBC website including an interview she did on Thursday.....CBC-JODY WILSON-RAYBOULD

And here's what her father who was a Chief of the indigenous community in British Columbia had to say about Jody Wilson-Raybould and her sister to none other than Pierre Elliot Trudeau, then Prime Minister back in 1983......LINK

Well we shall see......

Politics so freaking corrupted and so linked to business interests and it's going to bring us to the hatred of Russia in the Western world today in general and in the USA in particular.

We will get there.....When its all said and done Mitch McConnell, Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden all preach the same message of big banks, big business and big money.



Music Links:




"STOP THE WORLD"-RANDY STONEHILL




"MONEY, MONEY, MONEY"-ABBA




"WELCOME BACK"-JOHN SEBASTIAN




"TIE A YELLOW RIBBON ROUND THE OLD OAK TREE"-TONY ORLANDO AND DAWN

BREAKING NEWS-THE HOMECOMING OF MARIA BUTINA

And courtesy of "Ruptly" the pictures of Maria Butina on her way home to Russia....LINK

She did her time on federal charges in this country as others are doing right now like Jerry Delemus, Todd Engel and Greg Burleson lest we all forget.

Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who is one of the few who understand the corruption of our system with clarity,  put it this way about Maria Butina in a tweet yesterday.

"She served a ridiculously long sentence essentially for not filing the right paperwork.  But now she is free.  Sadly, she was jailed to satiate the rampant Russophobia in the US these days.   We are better than this"-LINK

And the video of her arrival in Moscow today.....LINK

Russia's Tass News Agency reported on her arrival.......

MARIA BUTINA MOSCOW ARRIVAL TASS

MARIA BUTINA COMMENTS AT THE AIRPORT-TASS

Why do the Adam Schiff's and Marco Rubio's read from the same script when it comes to Russia as some sort of threat to the USA?

The late John McCain was fanatical about Russia as an enemy like he was fanatical about supporting Bin Laden Al Qaeda movement jihadists in Syria.

McCain took in massive amounts of money from the defense contractors that's for sure and you have to have an "enemy" to sell their products but the other year the man who was then Interior Secretary after being Congressman Ryan Zinke told an energy industry group last year about the notion of a US naval blockade of Russia's export of energy like oil and natural gas.

That's right a US naval blockade of Russia advocated in September 2018 at Consumer Energy Alliance in Pittsburgh by the then Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.

In a nutshell as you read the story at the link below, you get the picture about keeping Russia, Iran and yes little Syria out of the energy business.   You understand why the tanks are being sent to Syria as announced yesterday by Defense Secretary Mark Esper to "protect the oil fields".

It was published by the "Washington Examiner" September 28, 2018......

RYAN ZINKE: NAVAL BLOCKADE IS AN OPTION FOR DEALING WITH RUSSIA

Angela Merkel may get things wrong but she did ask why all this hatred of Russia since it will only drive them into the arms of China.

China is our ultimate enemy and we seem to invest so much time in hating Russia when it might be better to bring Russia to our side and be more friendly.

But that would not benefit the big money in big energy that buys our politicians.

And getting back to the oil being "protected" in Syria Russia asserts that its a big money making proposition for the Pentagon and private military contractors.   Iran's Press TV published a story about this today

LINK-IRAN'S PRESS TV ON RUSSIAN ASSERTION OF US OIL BUSINESS IN SYRIA

LEBANON PROTESTS-LATEST UPDATE

After Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah called for the road blockades to end in Lebanon Friday, Lebanese soldiers and police acted today moving protesters away with force.

But on one highway north of Beirut, protesters with a bulldozer helping them drove back the security forces.

In his Friday speech, Nasrallah suggested that foreign elements are trying to exploit the protests to hurt Hezbollah.

From the English website of the Arabic newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat" more on the situation in Lebanon today.....LINK

From Iran's "Press TV" the details of Hassan Nasrallah's speech where he says foreign elements are involved in the protests with the provocative headline "Who is pushing for another civil war in Lebanon".....LINK


Music Links:



"OH BOY"-BUDDY HOLLY



"CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE"-ELVIS PRESLEY



"ROCK N' ROLL IS HERE TO STAY"-DANNY AND THE JUNIORS



"BIRD DOG"-EVERLY BROTHERS

Well back to the harsh reality of what politics really is in the US, UK, Canada etc.    Its about two big parties bought and paid for by special interests and regulatory structures that hurt little people,  small business and favor the big business interests.

Ammon Bundy posted a video online this week to discuss the inner workings of government and how messed up it really is......

AMMON BUNDY-"A REPUBLIC IF YOU CAN KEEP IT"

And that experience of how the civil service and bureaucracy, the "Deep State" works, brings us to this story for starters.

BREXIT-THE REAL STORY

Boris Johnson is distracting from the fact that another Brexit deadline is coming and going with no Brexit.    He talks General Election to distract from the fact that his:

"Great New Deal"

is 95 percent of what Theresa May had on the table before in the name of:

"Brexit"

A five percent, nickels worth of difference.

The UK remains entangled to the European Union and controlled, limited in areas like trading with third parties like the United States.

So follow the drama in the media about Brexit, but understand you are being hustled to distract from what's really going on.

Nigel Farage reminds all that what's needed is a "Clean Break Brexit" and he's ready to lead the Brexit Party into any General Election just for that purpose.

Johnson is hustling and calculating that emotional dram he's creating can bring him a majority in a General Election on December 12th.    We shall see if the opposition will oblige him and approve the election.    A two-thirds majority needed in the House of Commons for this to materialize.

The mainstream media spin will fool you, so stay with Nigel Farage via his Twitter feed for the "rest of the story" and the "real story" of Brexit.

NIGEL FARAGE TWITTER

NEWS UPDATE-DEAD BODIES IN TRUCK-UK

Word from the UK that the driver of the truck that pulled a trailer where 39 corpses of illegal immigrants were found is now formally charged with crimes.

Maurice Robinson, 25, charged with 39 counts of manslaughter and other charges involving immigration, people trafficking and money laundering.

He will appear in court on Monday.

BREAKING NEWS-CHILE PROTESTS

President Sebastian Pinera speaking Saturday in an address calling for the resignation of all of his cabinet ministers so the cabinet can be reshuffled.

Demonstrations continuing in the streets but Pinera also proposing if conditions allow a lifting of the state of emergency in the country tomorrow.

The nighttime curfew will be lifted tonight in the Santiago region.

You can see the latest live on "24 Horas" from Chile in Spanish with video of whatever is happening in the country.....LINK

There's plenty of news coming and going tonight and many have died in protests in a place not on the radar right now,  Ethiopia.    That nation the home of this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.     Read more from "Bloomberg".....BNN BLOOMBERG DEADLY PROTESTS ETHIOPIA

Music Links:



"ALL I REALLY WANT TO DO"-SONNY AND CHER



"MR. TAMBOURINE MAN"-THE BYRDS



'GREEN TAMBOURINE"-LEMON PIPERS



"INCENSE AND PEPPERMINTS"-STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK



We are on our way to comment and analysis of the situation in Washington right now, but first the fight between the Establishment and "We The People" with Kris Kobach in Kansas wanting to be the next US Senator and the Establishment trying to stop someone who wants to fight illegal immigration tooth and nail.

Their hope is Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the political story has spread far and wide to the BBC for instance......BBC-WILL MIKE POMPEO RUN FOR US SENATE?.....

JEFF SESSIONS FOR SENATE TALK BUT I PICK ROY MOORE IN ALABAMA

Believe or not there's talk in Alabama of Jeff Sessions coming back as a candidate for US Senate.  The former Attorney General has until November 8th to decide if he's running.

But Judge Roy Moore says he's in the race no matter what for the US Senate seat in 2020 now held by the Democrat who beat him in the tainted Special Election in December 2017.

Moore said:

"I like Jeff Sessions....It doesn't matter who's in.  I'm in it because I want to give the people a voice.   They didn't have a voice in the last Senate election.   It was stolen from them"

Moore interviewed on the "Jeff Poor Show" on Huntsville's WVNN Radio noting that he knows what it's like to have the Establishment remove him from office.    It happened twice to him when he was elected Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.

More at the link inlcuding the embedded audio and you can listen to it.......LINK

Go Roy Moore.   We don't need more Mitch McConnell's and Mitt Romney's in the US Senate in 2020.

And Roy Moore also said this mark it and don't ever forget it:

".....Washington is run, our government, our Senators for a long time they don't realize it, they think they elected the Senator or Representatives but its the big money lobbyists behind the scenes and government interference in how we run our elections. 

In our last election we saw what they did to me.   They did not want me in Washington and I won the Republican primary overwhelmingly.    They set out to choose a Democrat rather than a Republican and we're talking about Republicans...."

WHAT CAME FIRST, THE 'IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY' OR THE 'CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION?

The "administrative review" at the Justice Department is months old and the Democrats and Republicans and Trump boosters all knew this could move into a "criminal investigation" at any time.

People who support the President very vocal and suggestive online that such a criminal probe was in the offing.

It begs the question of why the Democrats opted to move into "impeachment inquiry" mode in recent weeks and I sense their game is very much linked to counterattacking the activities of the Justice Department with its vast federal super powers in any kind of investigation into allegations of crime.

There are no coincidences in politics and politics is dirty, down and dirty,  "the world with its pants down" as said by former President Ronald Reagan.    Heck, one Democrat in Congress involved in one of the investigating committee's "fully exposed" online in connection with her sexual activities.

The fight for power and money etc, etc. is on for 2020 and there will be pressure on everyone to take a side and get involved.

The  Justice Department will be probing the activities of the FBI and CIA.   One former CIA employee posting on the "Sic Semper Tryannis" blog today giving us a sense of the situation that involved among other things the CIA enlisting foreign intelligence agencies like Britain's MI 6, Israel's Mossad, Australian and Italian intelligence organizations in its take down operation of Donald Trump and his campaign people in 2016.

Larry Johnson's post........

EXPOSING JOHN BRENNAN"S SECRET CIA TRUMP TASK FORCE?

To the world of "faith" and Pope Francis at the gathering of Amazonian clergy who urged married priests and female deacons in the Roman Catholic Church.

His response to re-open an examination of the role of female deacons in the early church by restarting the work of a commission on female deacons.

And to the music with a woman who went to the seminary and studied leading to a ministry speaking to women at meetings around the world.   Early in her life she sang primarily.

Music Links:



"REVELATION SONG"-SHELIA WALSH


"OH LORD YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL"-KEITH GREEN


"CLOSER TO THE LIGHT"-BRUCE COCKBURN


"ONE OF THE DOMINOES"-MARK HEARD

THE REAL NEWS SUMMARY

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi says his country is watching events in neighboring Iraq closely.

Mousavi says Iran is watching events with "care and sensitivity" but also said that popular demands for reform in the country were being "confiscated" by outside groups.

15 more died today in protests in Iraq with 52 killed yesterday.

Late Saturday night members of Iraq's Counter Terrorism Service deployed in Baghdad and Nahariya to break up the protests.   More from the Australian Associated Press published by "9News"....LINK

One incident involved the burning of a government building in Diwaniya, Iraq with a dozen people trapped inside killed.    More from "Russia Today"....LINK

Iran's "Press TV" also publishing a story about an assailant being arrested after shooting at protesters and police in Baghdad yesterday.....LINK

In Lebanon protesters cleared from highways in many cases but not in others as security forces moved against them Saturday.   Injuries reported north of Tripoli when a highway was cleared.

Protesters with a bulldozer drove back the military and police as they tried to open up a highway north of Beirut.

Britain's "Sky News" publishing a video under the headline "Gunshots As Peaceful Protests Turn Violent In Lebanon".....LINK

The influential Iranian backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon is calling for an end to protests in Lebanon.

Its leader Hassan Nasrallah said Friday that foreign elements are trying to exploit the the protests to hurt Hezbollah.   Iran's Press TV has published a story headlined "Who Is Pushing For Another Civil War In Lebanon?"

In Catalonia Saturday hundreds of thousands rallied in Barcelona calling for Catalan independence.

Tomorrow an anti-independence rally by two major Spanish political parties on the "Right" in the city.

Meanwhile in Madrid the populist anti-mass immigration Vox Party holding a rally calling for tougher government action against the Catalan independence movement.

Spain is holding its second general election this year next month.

Tonight a group of masked protesters launched an attack on a police station in Barcelona.

Its election day Sunday in Argentina with incumbent "Center-Right" President Mauricio Macri trailing in the polls.    

The "Left" expected to take the presidency in the country with Alberto Fernandez leading the polls.

His Vice-Presidential running mate is the former scandal-embroiled President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, wife of former president the late Nestor Kirchner.

130 of the 257 seats in the country's legislature, the Chamber of Deputies, also being contested in tomorrow's election.

In the eastern German state of Thuringia its election day Sunday with the anti-mass immigration Alternative for Germany expected to double its support to over 20 percent of the vote.    The Christian Democrats won the most votes last election but they are losing support in the polls with the former East German Communists "The Left" expected to win the most support around 25 percent or more of the popular vote.

Lagging far behind are the Social Democrats with around 9 percent support in the polls.    They won 12 percent in the last election.

"The whole of the American system worked to ensure that person breaks down"

The assessment of Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as she welcomed Russian citizen Maria Butina back home following her experience with the federal criminal justice system in the United States. 

Congressman Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky, called her sentence 'ridiculously long' and one based on "not filing the right paperwork".

More on Zakharova's comments from Tass News Agency.....LINK

And the wildfires raging in California tonight with more evacuations being ordered in Sonoma County because of the "Kincade Fire".

Wind conditions expected to worsen in the area overnight.

ABC San Francisco with more at its website on the fire situation......LINK

BREAKING NEWS:  THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL MAKE A MAJOR STATEMENT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE AT 9 AM TOMORROW MORNING SUNDAY.

THE PRESIDENT TWEETED SATURDAY NIGHT SAYING 'SOMETHING VERY BIG HAS JUST HAPPENED' WITH NO FURTHER DETAILS.

SOME MEDIA SPECULATION WITH REPORTS THAT THE ISIS FOUNDER ABU BAKR AL BAGHDADI HAS BEEN KILLED OR CAPTURED.

Well lets not let ourselves get distracted from all the other news out there discussed tonight.

And in brief that's the way it really is on this Saturday night October 26th......

Good Night.....God Bless all with peace and serenity, sanity and sobriety.....Into the night with music.....

Music Links:

"SINCERELY"-THE MCGUIRE SISTERS

'BAND OF GOLD"-DON CHERRY

"I'VE TOLD EVERY LITTLE STAR"-LINDA SCOTT

"MR. BLUE"-THE FLEETWOODS

FRANCE YELLOW VESTS WEEK 50:  A NUMBER IN THE THOUSANDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY  13,250 LATER REPORTED

This week saw French President Emmanuel Macron in one of France's overseas territories.   He visited Reunion in the Indian Ocean.

During his visit a protest outside a hotel in the territory involving some 100 people.

The police back home in the heart of France experienced a fairly typical call for a car being set on fire Thursday night but when they arrived on the scene they came under attack.  Projectiles thrown at them in the assault.

The incident in Mantes-la-Jolie condemned by Interior Minister Christophe Castaner tweeting in part "The Republic cannot tolerate attacking those who protect it..."

Secretary of the State for the Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nunez says it was an "ambush" and an "extremely violent attack".

But getting back to the Yellow Vests there were just over 11-thousand participants nationwide last week.

Yellow Vests hoping for a big showing on the weekend of November 16th and 17th when a one year anniversary will be observed.

Yellow Vests personality Maxime Nicolle in London last Monday in support of Julian Asaange protesting outside his court hearing where a judge rejected a delay in his extradition hearing set for March of 2020.

RT interviewed him in French......LINK


The Acte 50 (Week 50) Multiplex video feed is up.......



YELLOW VESTS WEEK 50 MULTIPLEX VIDEO FEED


Here is some video of the Yellow Vests in Paris today  Two links with the second one showing a large group of people marching in the streets......


YELLOW VESTS PARIS WEEK 50

YELLOW VESTS MARCH IN PARIS WEEK 50


The Yellow Vests marching in Marseille today......


YELLOW VESTS WEEK 50 MARSEILLE


This video posted from Toulouse shows a massive police presence in the center of the city......


YELLOW VESTS WEEK 50 TOULOUSE


A short video clip of the Yellow Vests in Lille today.....


YELLOW VESTS LILLE WEEK 50


The video posted from Bordeaux today shows a group of Yellow Vests appearing and making some noise.......


YELLOW VESTS BORDEAUX WEEK 50


There is video of gas being used in Toulouse today......


YELLOW VESTS TEAR GAS VIDEO TOULOUSE 10/26/2019


And now the video of tear gas being employed against protesters in Paris today....


TEAR GAS AT PARIS PROTEST 10/26/2019


And in Saint-Etienne today a "national protest" called which usually means the presence of the black bloc anarchists.   AFP news agency reports 500 protesters there.   Tear gas used in the end and video posted by AFP at the link......PROTEST IN SAINT-ETIENNE 10/26/2019 AFP VIDEO


Some additional Saint-Etienne video posted later in the evening......PROTEST IN SAINT-ETIENNE 10/26/2019

Other issues mixing into today's protest from Catalonia to Chile where street protests are a daily thing nowadays.    A protest in one community (Lisle-Sur-Tarn) memorializing an environmentalist activist killed by a police grenade explosion five years ago today.

And to conclude we had protesters in the thousands today but were there as many as the 11-thousand plus last week?   We await information from the "Yellow Number" Facebook.


The number put out by the "Yellow Number" Facebook Wednesday October 30th was 13,250.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT FRIDAY 10/25/2019  NEWSDUMP FRIDAY

(SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED WHEN ABLE WITH FINAL POSTING AFTER 10 PM EASTERN TIME PAST MIDNIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY)

From California raging wildfires and fear of more wildfires causing Pacific Gas and Electric to warn that up to 850-thousand customers may have their power shut off between Saturday night and Monday because of dangerous conditions that could trigger fires.

Questions raised about whether a PG and E transmission tower sparked a blaze at Geyserville, California.    There was an outage Wednesday night just minutes before the fire erupted.    The investigation continues.

PROTESTERS BACK ON THE STREETS OF IRAQ TODAY WITH AT LEAST 40 REPORTED DEAD AND SOME TWO THOUSAND INJURED.

TEAR GAS, WATER CANNON AND RUBBER BULLETS USED WHEN THE PROTESTERS TRIED TO ENTER THE 'GREEN ZONE' OF BAGHDAD WHERE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS ARE LOCATED.

IRAQ'S PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A CABINET SHAKE-UP WILL OCCUR NEXT WEEK.

The demonstrations continuing in Lebanon for a ninth straight day today with roads blocked and some reported to have pitched tents on them.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah speaking today.    The Iranian-backed group a key force behind the Lebanese government.

Standard and Poor's credit rating agency put Lebanon on a "CreditWatch negative" status Thursday because of the turmoil.

The streets of Bolivia's capital La Paz blocked today in protest at the election result showing a win for long-time left-wing President Evo Morales.

They are demanding an audit of the vote count.

More from Reuters as published by the "Voice of America"....LINK

Some one million people reported participating in a mass rally in Santiago, Chile today and into the evening.   It was one week ago today that violent protests rocked the city and eventually spread to other cities in the country.

Today's protest peaceful with President Sebastian Pinera saying "We've all heard the message.  We've all changed".

A federal judge ruling late Friday that the Justice Department must hand over grand jury materials from the Robert Mueller investigation to the Democrat controlled House Judiciary Committee.

US District Judge Beryl Howell setting a deadline of next Wednesday for the handover of the materials.

The news late Thursday that a criminal investigation is now underway into the origins of the Russia collusion investigation involving President Trump and his 2016 campaign causing anger among Democrats.

Democrats saying that a probe into any lawbreaking in the launching of the investigation causes "irreparable damage" to the "rule of law".

The BBC has its version of the story.....LINK

(COMMENT-ANALYSIS)

It certainly has been no secret inside the beltway that the administrative review of the Justice Department's actions related to the launch of the investigation into President Trump, his campaign and alleged Russian collusion could lead to a criminal investigation.

A criminal investigation that could rebound to President Trump's benefit in 2020.

When one considers this one can wonder whether the "impeachment inquiry" is simply a Democrat "Trump card" to help buck up their 2020 campaign effort.

The European Union agreed to a delay in Brexit Friday but did not agree on how long the extension will be.     That issue will be taken up again by EU leaders on Monday.

French President Emmanuel Macron said to be a leader opposing extension.

A Russian solider shooting and killing eight fellow soldiers and injuring others at a military base in Siberia today.    He was on guard duty at the time and the attack occurred during the changing of the guard.   This story from Russia's Tass News Agency...LINK

"WE ARE REINFORCING THAT POSITION"

US DEFENSE SECRETARY MARK ESPER CONFIRMING AT NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS TODAY THAT MORE US MILITARY FORCES INCLUDING 'MECHANIZED VEHICLES' HEADED INTO NORTHEASTERN SYRIA TO PROTECT OIL FIELDS THERE.   REPORTS HAD SAID UP TO 500 US TROOPS AND 30 TANKS WERE ON THE WAY THERE.

Russia has moved 300 more military police and armored vehicles to Syria to help police the 30 kilometer "safe zone" on the border with Turkey.

The story from Russia's Tass News Agency......LINK

When US Defense Secretary Mark Esper was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia earlier this week, a plane flying from Israel landed there.

Speculation about who may have been on the privately owned plane that's registered in the United States.

Iran's "Press TV" reporting on the story which originated in Israeli media.

To the South Pacific where the independent nation of Solomon Islands, home of numerous islands where Americans fought during World War 2, has decided to cancel a deal to lease one of those islands to a Chinese company.

The attorney general of the Solomon Islands invalidating the proposed 75 year lease for the island of Tulagi.

The decision praised by US Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

Sanctions tightened on Cuba even more today with the State Department ordering US airlines to cease all flights to Cuban airports other than Havana.    The air carriers have 45 days to stop their flights to Cuban locations outside of the capital city.

She's running for President in 2020, but won't be running for re-election to Congress next year.

That's the word late Thursday night from U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.

Gabbard tweeted in part:

"I've always made my decisions based on where I felt I could do the most good......As president, I will immediately begin work to end the new cold war & nuclear arms race..."

More on this story from "Breitbart".....LINK

British police making three more arrests in connection with the discovery of a trailer with 39 bodies.

A man and woman being held on suspicion of manslaughter and suspicion of conspiracy to traffic.

Another suspect, a 48 year-old man, taken into custody at Stansted Airport near London Friday.

More from the BBC......LINK

The Indonesian investigation into the Lion Air plane crash involving a Boeing 737 Max aircraft has issued a 353 page report that says Boeing, Lion Air and the pilots themselves all contributed to cause the crash.   

Nine issues cited as causes of the crash that killed 189 people last October.

Boeing's design fault combined with Lion Air's lack of testing of the plane's equipment and pilot errors all said to have beeen involved.

South Korea's transport ministry says nine Boeing 737 NG aircraft are grounded after safety checks found structural cracks.

Earlier this month the US Federal Aviation Administration ordered inspection of older Boeing 737 NG's for structural cracks.

A Russian woman imprisoned for being an agent who infiltrated the American political scene freed from a federal prison today.

Maria Butina being deported back to Russia and is expected to arrive there tomorrow.

Commenting on her imprisonment Congressman Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky, posted on Twitter today:

"She served a ridiculously long sentence essentially for not filing the right paperwork.  But she is now free.  Sadly she was jailed to satiate the rampant Russophobia in the US these days.   We are better than this."

US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the recipient of a million dollar prize given annually to people who "have profoundly shaped human understanding and achievement".

Recipients donate the prize to a non-profit organization of their choice.

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

The strike against General Motors by the United Auto Workers is over.   Final approval by the rank and file Friday of a new four- year contract.   The vote was 57 percent in favor.

Some auto workers could be back on the job tomorrow.

A report on the story from CNBC.....LINK

In what's being reported as a surprise, a 10 billion dollar Pentagon  contract has been awarded to Microsoft beating out Amazon.

Its a ten year cloud computing contract called JEDI (Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure) in which artificial intelligence will play a role.

This report from France's AFP news agency.....LINK

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT THURSDAY 10/24/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH LATE THURSDAY)

The "New York Times" is reporting that the Justice Department is conducting a criminal investigation into how the probe of alleged Russian collusion involving President Trump got started.

Prosecutor John Durham is in charge and he will have the ability to impanel a grand jury and file criminal charges should violations of the law be found.

You can read what the "New York Post" is saying about the story......LINK

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he wants a General Election on December 12th.   Johnson anticipating a Brexit extension from the European Union tomorrow which causes him to want the election.

The opposition Labor Party will have to agree as it will take a two-third's majority of the House of Commons to call an election.

Johnson linking the election to giving Parliament more time to consider his "Great New Deal" on Brexit.

Reacting to the news on his radio show, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said:

"So Boris having to admit we're not leaving and I think he thought 'Well I've got to do something to try and divert attention away' so he's calling for a General Election"

You can watch the whole "Nigel Farage Show" for today here......LINK

Lebanese President Michel Aoun spoke to his country Thursday as protests against corruption and poor economic conditions in the country continued into an eighth day.

Aoun expressing a willingness to talk to protesters but not making any concrete changes including replacing members of the country's cabinet.

Banks in the country plan to remain closed tomorrow out of fear over the security situation.

With the Iranian backed Hezbollah seen as a major force behind Lebanon's government there is room to speculate about anti-Iran nations like Saudi Arabia, Israel and the United States being involved in recent developments in Lebanon.

Tightening of sanctions against Hezbollah in recent years are one contributing factor to the country's economic challenges.

Offering commentary and analysis on the situation is contributor David Rosenberg in Israel's "Haaretz".......LINK

Israel's Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi sees Israel's main security challenge lying on its northern border with Lebanon.

More from Israel's "Ynet".....LINK

FIGHTING REPORTED IN SYRIA TODAY WITH THE KURDS SAYING THE TURKS ARE VIOLATING THE CEASE-FIRE AGREED TO BY RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

'SOUTHFRONT' REPORTING TURKISH BACKED MILITANTS IN COMBAT WITH SYRIAN ARMY FORCES IN NORTHEASTERN SYRIA AND THE KURDS FIGHTING BACK REPORTEDLY INJURING TURKISH SOLDIERS.

OVERALL THOUGH THE CEASE-FIRE IS SAID TO BE HOLDING.

THE SYRIAN ARMY REPORTED LAUNCHING A GROUND OFFENSIVE IN NORTHWESTERN SYRIA AFTER DAYS OF AIRSTRIKES IN THE REGION BY RUSSIAN AND SYRIAN AIRCRAFT.

'SOUTHFRONT' IS FOLLOWING THE MILITARY ACTION IN SYRIA AND OTHER DEFENSE RELATED NEWS.....LINK

An unnamed Pentagon official telling "Newsweek" that the United States is planning to deploy as many as 30 Abrams battle tanks to Syria to secure the oil fields east of the Euphrates River.

The total number of US troops involved could be as many as 500.

Police in the UK say that the 39 people found dead yesterday in a trailer were all Chinese nationals.

Police found the bodies in the trailer, whose trip had originated  in Bulgaria, at an industrial park in Essex early yesterday morning.    The driver being held on suspicion of murder.

British authorities have begun the process of removing the bodies.

Bolivia's left-wing President Evo Morales claiming a victory in last Sunday's presidential election with a vote count that now shows him at 46.83 percent of the vote and his main opponent former President Carlos Mesa at 36.7 percent.     The ten percent plus margin is what is legally necessary for Morales to be elected outright in the first round.

The opposition has been crying foul and protesting over what they suspect is a rigged vote count to give Morales the victory.    The vote count is at 98 percent of the total.

Major League Baseball targeting an umpire for tweeting about the notion of a civil war over the political drama in Washington.

Rob Drake's tweet has been deleted and he has deactivated his account.    

Later in the day Drake apologized for his comments.

In the mix of mainstream media spin is the BBC......LINK

THERE WERE CLASHES BETWEEN POLICE AND PROTESTERS IN CHILE TODAY IN BOTH THE CAPITAL SANTIAGO AND THE SECOND CITY VALPARAISO.

PROTESTERS SAYING REFORMS OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT ARE NOT ENOUGH.

Former NSA contractor Edward Snowden who leaked information about US government surveillance methods says he's now "trapped in Russia".

Snowden, who is facing charges of violating the Espionage Act in the United States, was interviewed on the "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast.

Snowden fled from prosecution in the US in 2013 and ended up being granted asylum in Russia.

Russia's Tass News Agency has more on this story......LINK 

The French Minister of State for the Interior, Laurent Nunez, says the authorities are tracking nine thousand people suspected of "radicalization" in the country and that 27 people working at police headquarters in Paris have been reported for "radicalization".

Nunez was interviewed Wednesday by BFM-TV.

Nunez admitting that there was an error because the troubling behavior of Michael Harpon, perpretrator of the terrorist attack at the police headquarters in Paris earlier this month, was known.

Four stabbed to death and one wounded in the October 3rd attack by Harpon, who was an adherent of Salafist Islam.

Fulfilling a political promise, Spain's Socialist Party caretaker goverment is acting days before the November 10th election to remove the remains of Spain's longtime ruler, Generalissimo Francisco Franco.

The remains being moved from a large mausoleum in the Madrid area to a less auspicious place by helicopter.

Live video is here......LINK

Wildfires raging in northern and southern California with some 40-thousand ordered to evacuate in Los Angeles County.

And for now that's the way it really is for Thursday October 24th, 2019.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT WEDNESDAY 10/23/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH LATE TONIGHT)

First we start with the political drama in Washington.    The "impeachment inquiry" takes place behind closed doors with Democrats taking depositions but today a group of House Republicans showed up to hear what's being said.

But Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff broke off questioning of a Defense Department official and left the room when the GOP House members showed up.

Israeli politics and the leader of the Blue and White Party, the colors of Israel's flag,  Benny Gantz given the one month mandate tonight to form a new government after Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud Party were unable to do so following last month's election.

Gantz wants to talk to Likud first seeking a unity government where he will be Prime Minister instead of Mr. Netanyahu.

39 bodies found in a tractor-trailer container in England early this morning.   The container, originally from Bulgaria, entered the UK last Saturday.

The truck driver arrested on suspicion of murder.

A multinational investigation now underway to trace the path of the container which may have gone through France and Ireland before entering the UK in Wales.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson meeting with the Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn as he continues to push his "Great New Deal" Brexit proposal.   No agreements with Corbyn with the Labor Party saying that Jeremy Corbyn supports a General Election if the "threat" of a clean break 'No Deal Brexit' on October 31st is off the table.

Meanwhile Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage arguing that Johnson's "deal" is "not Brexit".    More from Mr. Farage's Twitter feed.....LINK

There were clashes between protesters and Lebanese army troops on a major highway linking Beirut to the southern part of the country today.

Two injuries reported as soldiers used force to open up blocked roads.

Mass protests continued into the second week in spite of reforms announced by the government yesterday.

A senior US official at the State Department telling Reuters today that the Lebanese people are "rightfully angered" and have a right to protest peacefully for an end to corruption and reform in the country.

Turkey's Anadolu News Agency reports on protests earlier in the day......LINK

Chile's President rolling out a long list of reforms hoping to end violence in the country that broke out last Friday and has continued since.

Sebastian Pinera announcing an increase in the country's minimum wage, a prescription health insurance program, a 20 percent increase in the country's universal basic pension and a cancellation of a 9.2 percent price increase for electricity among other things.

18 are dead, more than 200 injured and over 26-hundred arrested in the country.

Mass rallies across the country today as a strike is underway.

Bolivia's President Evo Morales says a general strike over the suspicious vote count giving him a wider lead amounts to a "right wing coup".

The White House announced 4.5 million dollars of support for the controversial White Helmets group in Syria this week.

The White Helmets seen as a propaganda arm of Al Qaeda movement jihadists and other opposition forces in Syria, accused of producing "fake news" videos about chemical weapons attacks and other alleged atrocities by the Assad regime in Syria.

The statement from the White House praises the White Helmets:

"important and valuable work"

More on this story from "Southfront"......LINK

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper visiting Iraq today with Iraq's Defense Minister contradicting Esper's previous statements that US forces pulling out of northeastern Syria are staying in Iraq to fight ISIS.   

Najah al-Shammari saying the US forces are moving on to Kuwait, Qatar or the US within four weeks.  Iraq saying US troops do not have permission to stay in the country.

More from Saudi Arabia's "Al Arabiya".......LINK

A cabinet shakeup in Saudi Arabia with the foreign and transport ministers being replaced.

The new foreign minister is Prince Faisal bin Fahran Al Saud who among other things has been an adviser to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.    Bin Salman considered to be the de facto ruler of the country.

President Trump said today that sanctions on Turkey will be lifted.

The sanctions imposed because of the Turkish military operation in northern Syria.

The President called on Turkey to commit to fighting the Islamic State and detain IS fighters.

The latest from the "Southern Poverty Law Center" and their list of "hate groups".    The pro-Israel Proclaiming Justice To The Nations being labeled  as one of the "hate groups" out there.

PJTN is an evangelical Christian group that opposes anti-Semitism and promotes laws to ban boycotts of Israel.

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

And from northern California tonight PG and E rolling out the blackout to 180-thousand customers fearing any legal liability for brush fires.    Conditions conducive to creating fires now exist in an area near San Francisco.

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

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT TUESDAY 10/22/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE THAT WILL CONCLUDE LATE TUESDAY)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson continuing to press Members of Parliament to pass his "Great New Deal" Brexit plan described by Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage as:

"not Brexit"

The House of Commons voting on whether to move forward with Johnson's "deal" after the Speaker rejected a vote in the House yesterday.

The vote became two votes in the end, one that approved the "deal" but then one that rejected a fast track consideration of it in three days.

What happens next remains to be seen with many possibilities and no certainties?

Earlier today Mr. Farage addressed the European Parliament explaining that Johnson's strategy is one aimed at helping the Conservative Party survive, not one taking the United Kingdom out of the European Union.  He said in part:

"It's the same story every time, it's about the Tory Party not about the country and what we need to do is build a Leave alliance of those across the political spectrum to fight and win the next General Election.   The only way we can leave this place is with a clean break Brexit"

Farage's full speech is here...... LINK 

Johnson is threatening to pull the "deal" and push for an election if his timetable to approve it is not supported by the House of Commons.

Social liberalism coming into force in socially conservative Northern Ireland today because of Parliamentary action in London.    Both abortion and same-sex marriage laws being overturned.

More on this from "Euro News".....LINK

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Russia today talking Syria and the Kurds with President Vladimir Putin.     Russian military police and air force units are operating with the Syrian military to replace the US backed "Syrian Democratic Forces" and US forces in northeastern Syria.

Mr. Erdogan insisting that the SDF pull back from the "safe zone" or else Turkey will resume its military action.

The outcome of the lengthy six hour meeting between the two leaders a new six day cease fire to facilitate Kurdish withdrawal from the 20 miles deep "safe zone" and joint Turkish-Russian patrols in the area.

Russia's Tass News Agency reported ahead of the meeting......LINK

After the meeting Tass reporting that the Turks considered the meeting to be the beginning of a "new era" in relations between the two countries......LINK

From the political drama in Washington President Trump calling the "impeachment inquiry":

"a lynching"

today.

And as for the "inquiry" a witness former ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor who testified that he:

"believed"

that there was some connection between US military aid to Ukraine and a Ukrainian investigation into the questionable activities of the Biden family.

But the White House saying such a statement was in essence:

"hearsay"

In Israel, the failure of Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party to form a new government leading Israel's President Reuven Rivlin to give Benny Gantz of the Blue and White Party the opportunity to do so.

Gantz will be given the mandate tomorrow night.

In Chile President Sebastian Pinera planning to meet opposition leaders to forge a new "social contract" following days of rioting in the country.

But the Socialist Party rejecting a meeting with Pinera saying not all important groups in the country were invited to meet.

"a wonderful and hard fought victory"

President Trump offering his congratulations to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after his Liberal Party won the election in Canada Monday but lost its majority in the House of Commons.

Among those elected Monday was the former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, elected as an Independent.   Wilson-Raybould was ousted from her post by Trudeau after she refused to cut a non-prosecution agreement with the Quebec based construction firm SNC-Lavalin in a corruption case.

The SNC-Lavalin stock soared today following the victory of Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party.

Discrepancies in the vote count in Bolivia with a "quick count" showing the long-time leftist President Evo Morales near victory in the first round election and a more detailed count showing Morales barely ahead of his main rival, the former President Carlos Mesa, which would force a second round between the two candidates.

Last night there were protests and attacks on election offices in cities across the country and more protest is planned in the country today.

British police are headed to the United States to interview the wife of US diplomat involved in a traffic accident that killed a British man.

The parents of Harry Dunn were at the White House last week and rebuffed an offer to meet Anne Sacoolas there from President Trump.     They were told that Sacoolas would not return to the UK to face any British justice in the matter.

More from "The Guardian".....LINK

And for now in brief that's the way it really is for Tuesday October 22nd, 2019.....