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.