NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT WEDNESDAY 10/16/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Those were his comments today.

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

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

Pence expected to meet Erdogan on Thursday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Koerber intending to appeal his conviction.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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