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NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT WEDNESDAY 1/1/2020 HAPPY NEW YEAR

(SERVICE THROUGH LATE EVENING WITH SERVICE SUSPENDED AT 10 PM EASTERN US TIME)

The US delegation for the gathering of global elites in Davos is announced today by the White House but first.......

North Korea's ruler Kim Jong-un says his country will no longer refrain from nuclear or ballistic missile tests.

Speaking to usher in the New Year, Kim said that a 'new strategic weapon' currently under development will be tested in the near future.

He said there are no grounds to abide by any moratorium on nuclear-ICBM tests because of the "gangster-like demands" of the United States.

The US refusing to lift sanctions on North Korea while nuclear talks are underway and North Korea demanding a lifting in order for the talks to continue.

Kim Jong-un's comments interpreted as giving more time to the US to make concessions before testing of strategic weapons resume.

TRUMP'S SELF-TWEETED 'THREAT' TO IRAN DRAWS A RESPONSE FROM AYATOLLAH KHAMENEI

On New Year's Eve President Trump told Iran it will pay a "BIG PRICE" if there are any repeat incidents like the attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad earlier in the day.

The mob of 6-thousand responding to the attack on an Iranian supported militia group in Iraq and Syria last Sunday night that followed a rocket attack last Friday that killed an American civilian contractor.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responding with a speech and online today to President Trump's actions and statements.

Khamenei told a group of nurses in Tehran today:

"You are witnessing what they are doing in Iraq and Syria. They are taking revenge on Hashd al-Sha'abi because it paralyzed and eliminated Daesh (ISIS), which they had created and nurtured"

"I myself, the government and the nation of Iran condemn the US malevolence in the strongest of terms"

On Twitter Khamenei posted in part:

"We're not after wars, but we strongly defend the Iranian interests, dignity and glory. If anyone threatens that, we will unhesitatingly confront & strike them"

The Iranian government also summoning the Swiss diplomat who represents US interests in Iran to protest. Iran objecting to what they call "warmongering" from the US and what they see as a US "blame game" policy aimed at Iran.

In Baghdad today (January 1st) the protesters outside the US embassy compound dispersed after tear gas was fired in their direction. They had camped out overnight after some of them were driven back yesterday from inside the grounds by tear gas.

Their leaders are proclaiming the protest a victory.and ordering the demonstrators to leave.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing tonight that he's seeking immunity from Israel's parliament over his indictment in three corruption cases.

Reaction pouring in to his announcement with Yisrael Beytenu (Israel Our Home) leader Avigdor Lieberman saying his party opposes immunity for Netanyahu. Lieberman's party holds the balance of power between the pro and anti-Netanyahu factions of the parliament.

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz saying it is a "sad day for Israel".

Netanyahu's move to seek immunity is seen as a way for him to delay any corruption trial until after the March 2nd election.

It will also create a contentious issue to arouse voters ahead of Israel's third election in less than a year.

Australian Jewish leaders asking Prime Minister Netanyahu to reconsider a ministerial appointment.

Rabbi Yaakov Litzman was recently made Israel's Minister of Health.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry noting that Litzman is being investigated for blocking the extradition to Australia of accused child sex abuser Malka Leifer.

The Leifer case has strained otherwise friendly relations between Australia and Israel.

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

Consultations behind closed doors at the United Nations Security Council at the end of this week over the Syrian government's offensive against jihadist opposition for forces in Idlib. The offensive, backed by Russian air power, is drawing the concern of France and the UK which have requested the consultations. More from Russia's Tass News Agency........LINK

When the global elites of business and government meet in Davos, Switzerland later this month the US delegation will include Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin. The White House releasing the names of a delegation that will also include Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and White House senior advisers Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.

There was a report from Reuters last month indicating that President Trump will appear at Davos for the "World Economic Forum" scheduled from January 21st to 24th. That expectation confirmed by an anonymous White House source today.

LARGE NUMBERS OF PRO-DEMOCRACY PROTESTERS ON THE STREETS OF HONG KONG FOR NEW YEARS DAY. MASSIVE CROWDS STAGED A PEACEFUL RALLY. DURING THE DAY AND AFTERWARDS POLICE USED PEPPER SPRAY, TEAR GAS AND WATER CANNON ON DEMONSTRATORS.

SOME 400 ARRESTS REPORTED BY THE POLICE.

VIDEO FROM THE VOICE OF AMERICA.......VIDEO LINK

LATE BREAKING NEWS FROM TAIWAN WHERE ITS THURSDAY MORNING WITH A HELICOPTER CARRYING THE NATION'S CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF REPORTED DOWN AFTER AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE CHIEF OF STAFF, AIR FORCE GENERAL SHEN YI-MING REPORTED MISSING.

RUSSIA'S SPUTNIK NEWS WITH THE STORY.....LINK

The Vice-President of Turkey says his country will not send military forces to Libya if the Libyan National Army leader Khalifa Haftar stops attacking the Government of National Accord in Tripoli.

Turkey's parliament is poised to approve a one year mandate for deployment of its military forces.

More on the latest devlopments from Russia's "Sputnik" news website.....LINK

THE BUSHFIRES-BRUSHFIRES IN AUSTRALIA THIS WEEK HAVE LEFT EIGHT DEAD, TWO MISSING ALONG WITH DEVASTATION AND STRANDED TOURISTS AND RESIDENTS. THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY WILL EVACUATE HUNDREDS FROM A COASTAL TOWN IN THE STATE OF VICTORIA AND PREPARATIONS ARE BEING MADE FOR SERIOUS FIRE OUTBREAKS EXPECTED AT THE WEEKEND.

LIVE UPDATES ON THE SITUATION FROM THE ABC IN AUSTRALIA......LINK

An attack on a Hasidic Jewish man in Brooklyn this afternoon. The 22 year old said he was making a 911 call after two women yelled anti-Semitic epithets at him. Then the women attacked throwing him to the ground, breaking his phone and throwing it at him.

The women, aged 24 and 34, were arrested with charges expected against them.

There's been agreement on the formation of a new government in Austria.

The mainstream party of the "Right" the People's Party forming a coalition with the Greens.

This will exclude the nationalist anti-immigration Freedom Party from a new government. They had governed with the People's Party of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz but were forced out following a video sting operation.

New elections held in September resulted in gains for Kurz's People's Party and the Greens opening the door for them to form a coalition government.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020