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.