(ADDITIONAL MATERIAL WILL BE PUT INTO THIS POST INSIDE OR AT THE END)
"Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven,
to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace"
LUKE 1:78-79 NIV BIBLE
The first song today is from Sir Cliff Richard whose career gave him lots of fame outside the United States.
What a beautiful song I discovered once the internet connected the world...
"MISTLETOE AND WINE"-CLIFF RICHARD
"GLORY TO GOD"-GLAD
"O COME O COME EMMANUEL"-LAUREN DAIGLE
Here again another weekend getting ready for Christmas.
Your currently sober drunk host feeling some great joy and great peace more about that later on.
A little snow yesterday. The children next door coming out to play in the inch or so accumulation on the grass.
A lot of news dumping around Christmas 2024 and a world in tumult the endgame one between the United States and China as to who will dominate the world.
Russia-Ukraine the warmup for the main event and how will Donald Trump impact the trajectory as we move towards that endgame?
Some quick takes on things.
1. I GET THE IMPRESSION THAT LUIGI MANGIONE MAY BEAT ALL THESE CHARGES AGAINST HIM.
YOU CAN WIN THE MURDER AGRUMENT BUT TO CALL IT TERRORISM TO PILE ON FEDERAL CHARGES.
NOT A GOOD SIGN IN THE MURDER CASE OF CORPORATE CEO BRIAN THOMPSON.
2. THE UNITED STATES IS PUSHING, PRODDING AND PROVOKING NATIONS RUSSIA, CHINA AND IRAN WITH NORTH KOREA ADDED IN.
THOSE NATIONS FOR BETTER OR WORSE HAVE TO DECIDE HOW TO RESPOND TO OUR PROVOCATIONS.
NEWSDUMP UPDATE: FIVE DEAD AND MORE THAN 200 OTHERS HURT IN THE CHRISTMAS MARKET ATTACK IN MAGDEBURG, GERMANY...BBC NEWS BLOG
(ADDITIONAL MATERIAL BEING ADDED TO THIS SECTION)
THE ATTACK ON THE CHRISTMAS MARKET IN GERMANY LEADING TO SHARP REACTIONS FROM GEERT WILDERS IN THE NETHERLANDS AND ELON MUSK AS WELL...
Both men definitely supporters of Israel I can say that much but so is your host...
THE SPIN FROM GERMAN AUTHORITIES TODAY IS THAT THE ATTACKER HAS 'ISLAMOPHOBIC VIEWS' THE VIEWS ATTRIBUTED TO GEERT WILDERS AND ELON MUSK
"WHAT CHILD IS THIS"-RAY CONIFF SINGERS
"WE THREE KINGS"-MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER
"AMEN"-THE IMPRESSIONS (LIVE 2015)
"OUR CROSS IS CENTRAL TO OUR JOY JOURNEY"
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart"
HEBREWS 12:1-3 NIV BIBLE
"We need to see the crucial parallel between our lives and his and that parallel is this. Is that our cross is central to our joy journey.
This is something that we...I don't know that we want to hear but we need to because it's going to bring fullness, it's going to bring understanding it's going to bring greater completeness to our joy journey.
That if we understand that our cross the cross that we bear the cross that is specifically unique to us is central to our joy journey..."
PASTOR MARK FAIR STARTING AT 1:11:50 INTO THE VIDEO BELOW...
(NEWS, COMMENT AND ANALYSIS WITH MAINSTREAM MEDIA SOURCES)
(STRONG PROFANE LANGUAGE USED BY PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON)
The selection of the cabinet of new Prime Minister Francois Bayrou moved forward dependent on agreement with parties other than the faction supporting President Emmanuel Macron.
Mr. Bayrou pushing his cabinet selection back into the week of Christmas.
ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT A BASKETBALL GAME IN A SUBURB OF PARIS BETWEEN A FRENCH TEAM AND AN ISRAELI TEAM.
A JUDGE RULING AGAINST THE LOCAL MAYOR WHO SOUGHT THE BANNING OF FANS.
BUT A PROTEST BY PRO-PALESTINIAN ACTIVISTS WAS BANNED OUTSIDE THE ARENA.
IN THE END DEMONSTRATORS CAME OUT ONTO THE COURT DURING THE GAME WAVING PALESTINIAN FLAGS LEADING TO A CONFRONTATION.
The justice system in France this week with one case involving a famous man and another case involving a group of infamous men.
Former President Nicolas Sarkozy losing his appeal to France's highest court after being convicted of corruption and influence peddling.
Sarkozy was sentenced to three years imprisonment in 2021 with two years suspended and the other year to be served in home detention wearing an electronic tag.
Sarkozy will comply with his home imprisonment but appeal to the European Court of Human Rights...
(SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FINAL POSTING BY 11 PM EASTERN US TIME)
LATE NEWS TONIGHT:
A 235th judicial nomination by Joe Biden confirmed by the US Senate. The vote hailed by outgoing Senate Majority Leader Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York.
During his first term 234 judicial nominees of Donald Trump were confirmed by the Senate...The Hill USA
A Houthi missile attack on Central Israel late tonight with interceptors unable to take it down.
The troubled Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey aircraft are back in service with the US Navy and Marines but with restrictions related to a mechanical component.
Following a December 9th to 14th grounding the aircraft can fly dependent on hours of service of the Propotor Gearbox component on each of the V-22's...USNI News
EIGHT PEOPLE CONVICTED IN A FRENCH ANTI-TERRORISM COURT FOR THE BEHEADING OF TEACHER SAMUEL PATY OUTSIDE A SCHOOL IN OCTOBER OF 2020...THE GUARDIAN UK
US DIPLOMATS VISTING SYRIA SPEAKING OF 'PRODUCTIVE TALKS' WITH THE COUNTRY'S NEW GOVERNMENT.
THEY SPOKE TO HAYAT TAHRIR AL-SHAM LEADER AHMAD AL-SHARAA NOW THE DE FACTO LEADER OF SYRIA.
US politics the US House passing a spending bill this evening with Conservative Republicans overwhelmed by a "bipartisan majority" of 366-34..."X" Trending
(THIS STORY IS UPDATED)
A CAR PLOUGHING INTO A CHRISTMAS MARKET IN MAGDEBURG, GERMANY THIS EVENING IN WHAT IS BEING CALLED 'AN ATTACK'.
REACTING TO THE ATTACK ELON MUSK CALLING GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ AN 'INCOMEPTENT FOOL' WHO SHOULD RESIGN.
EARLIER BEFORE TONIGHT'S ATTACK MR. MUSK EXPRESSED A PREFERENCE FOR THE ALTERNATIVE FOR GERMANY PARTY IN THE UPCOMING GERMAN ELECTIONS...TASS RUSSIA...
ALSO, SAUDI ARABIA OUT WITH A STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE ATTACK. STRONG REACTIONS FROM POLITICAL LEADERS KNOWN TO SUPPORT ISRAEL AND OPPOSE MASS MIGRATION.
DUTCH PARTY OF FREEDOM LEADER GEERT WILDERS SAYING IN PART:
"They hate us. They despise our values. They kill us. And our children...No more. Never again..."...Geert Wilders "X"
A "Financial Times" report claims President-Elect Donald Trump will continue to provide military support to Ukraine contradicting his political campaign statements.
The same report says Trump wants other NATO countries to pour five percent of their GDP into national defense...TASS RUSSIA
Italy's former Interior Minister Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini acquitted.
Salvini accused for refusing to allow 147 migrants to land in Sicily back in August of 2019...RAI Italy (Translation Prompt)
IN CANADA NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER JAGMEET SINGH COMMITTING TO VOTE AGAINST THE LIBERAL PARTY GOVERNMENT OF PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU.
THE NDP PREVIOUSLY SUPPORTING MR. TRUDEAU'S MINORITY GOVERNMENT.
SINGH'S ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY SETS THE STAGE FOR A VOTE BRINGING DOWN CANADA'S GOVERNMENT EARLY NEXT YEAR FOLLOWED BY A NEW ELECTION...CBC NEWS CANADA
One person was wounded when Israeli soldiers opened fire on Syrians protesting Israel's military presence in southern Syria...Times Of Israel
(WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE THAT MAY OFFEND)
French President Emmanuel Macron trying to clarify anger that came out Thursday night during his visit to cyclone devastated Mayotte in the Indian Ocean.
There were calls from the crowd for his resignation and expressions of anger over the slow disaster response.
Macron snapping back saying among other things:
"You are happy to be in France because if it were not France, you would be 10,000 times more in the shit"...Video Link...
Today Mr. Macron blamed the opposition National Rally for comments made from the crowd leading to his remarks saying:
"When you insult France, the President gets angry"
The Dow Jones Industrial Average up 498.02 points or 1.18 percent.
The NASDAQ up 199.83 points or 1.03 percent.
The price of oil a little higher at 69 dollars 58 cents a barrel up 20 cents...Marketwatch
THE US MILITARY SAYS IT CARRIED OUT AN ATTACK THAT KILLED THE ISLAMIC STATE (DAESH) LEADER IN SYRIA.
THE LEADER IDENTIFIED AS ABU YUSIF (MAHMUD) ASSASSINATED IN AN ATTACK THAT KILLED HIM AND ANOTHER IS MEMBER IN DEIR EZ-ZOR PROVINCE...NOS NETHERLANDS (TRANSLATION PROMPT)
A STRIKE AT STARBUCKS LOCATIONS IN LOS ANGELES, SEATTLE AND CHICAGO. A UNION REPESENTING 11,000 WORKERS SAYS THE STRIKE TO OTHER STARBUCKS STORES LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS EVE...BBC NEWS
One girl killed and three other students and teachers wounded in a knife attack at an elementary school in Zagreb, Croatia...HRT Croatia (Translation Prompt)
Malaysia reopening the search for the missing MH370 flight that disappeared after takeoff on March 8, 2014.
The plane was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and it disappeared from radar 40 minutes after takeoff.
An American company Ocean Infinity says it has evidence that the wreckage of the Boeing 777 airliner is in the southern Indian Ocean...NOS Netherlands (Translation Prompt)
THE SRI LANKAN NAVY PICKING UP MORE THAN 100 ROHINGYA MUSLIMS FOUND IN A BOAT FLEEING MYANMAR. THEY WERE TAKEN TO NAVAL BASE IN SRI LANKA...TRT WORLD TURKEY (TURKIYE)
A speedboat carrying migrants capsized this morning off the Greek island of Rhodes. Eight are dead 18 others were rescued.
Australia cutting a 190-million-dollar (118.14 million US dollar) deal with the Solomon Islands to support policing.
The money will be spent over the next four years and is a countermeasure after 14 Chinese police officers established a presence in the Solomons providing training to the local police.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying the deal should prevent China from expanding its influence over policing...ABC News Australia
THE FBI ARRESTING A MAN SAID TO BE DIRECTING A TERRORIST ATTACK ON THE ISRAELI CONSULATE IN NEW YORK CITY.
IT TURNED OUT THAT THE SUSPECT, AN EGYPTIAN NATIONAL LIVING NEAR WASHINGTON DC, INSTRUCTED AN FBI INFORMANT TO CARRY OUT THE ATTACK...TIMES OF ISRAEL
Russian air defenses taking down 36 Ukrainian drones overnight into Friday including 14 over Black Sea waters...Tass Russia
In other news...
US RETAILER PARTY CITY IS SHUTTING DOWN OPERATIONS. CEO BARRY LITWIN SAYING ITS NECESSARY TO SHUT DOWN THE PARTY SUPPLY STORES. INFLATION, DEBT AND OTHER FACTORS CITED...FOX BUSINESS
A POLISH POLITICIAN FROM THE CONSERVATIVE LAW AND JUSTICE PARTY GRANTED ASYLUM IN HUNGARY.
MARCIN ROMANOWSKI WANTED FOR 11 CRIMINAL OFFENSES IN A CASE HE SAYS WAS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.
Canadian politics embattled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau set to shuffle his cabinet tomorrow.
This shuffle follows the dramatic departure of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland from his cabinet earlier in the week...CTV News Canada
Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson, taken to New York.
Mangione waving extradition to face various charges including terrorism in the connection with the killing of the corporate executive.
Federal charges added along with state charges.
A defense lawyer calling the charges 'confusing' and 'highly unusual'... BBC...News Blog
THE US FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION IMPOSING DRONE RESTRICTIONS IN 22 NEW JERSEY CITIES.
DRONES OPERATING UNDER 400 FEET COULD BE SHOT DOWN IF DETERMINED TO POSE AN 'IMMEIDATE SECURITY THREAT'.
THE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT UNTIL JANUARY 17TH...BBC NEWS
"The presidential election in the United States has radically changed the balance of power, tilting it in favor of patriots"
Viktor Orban the Hungarian Prime Minister commenting on the election of Donald Trump saying it ends an anti-Hungarian policy and will benefit Hungary's economy...Tass Russia
ISRAEL RELEASING VIDEO FROM LAST NIGHT'S EXTENSIVE AIR ATTACKS IN YEMEN...ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS
The markets today.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average up 15.37 points.
The NASDAQ fell 19.92 points.
At 415 pm New York Time the price of oil lower at 69 dollars 85 cents a barrel down 73 cents or 1.03 percent...Marketwatch
THE TEAMSTERS UNION GOING ON STRIKE AGAINST AMAZON. WORKERS WALKED OUT AT SEVEN FACILITIES IN FOUR STATES...MORNING STAR UK
Nine people killed in a fire in Taiwan. The blaze at a construction site for a food-processing facility...Associated Press USA-Outlook India
FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMNUEL MACRON TOURING THE INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY OF MAYOTTE DEVASTATED BY A CYCLONE.
IN FRANCE 51 MEN CONVICTED IN A GANG RAPE CASE. LEAD DEFENDANT 72-YEAR-OLD DOMINIQUE PELICOT RECEIVING A MAXIMUM 20 YEAR PRISON SENTENCE.
HE DRUGGED HIS WIFE GISELE SO THAT HE AND OTHER MEN COULD RAPE HER OVER A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS.
OTHER DEFENDANTS RECEIVED DIFFERENT SENTENCES SOME AS SHORT AS THREE YEARS...Voice of America
A man in California said to have texted the 15-year-old girl who attacked a Christian school in Wisconsin detained by FBI agents his guns seized.
Alexander Paffendorf allegedly told Natalie Rupnow of his plan to use explosives to attack a government building.
Mr. Paffendorf was also issued a 'gun violence restraining order'...Independent UK
AT LEAST 43 PEOPLE KILLED IN ISRAELI AIR STRIKES IN THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN GAZA STRIP...TASS RUSSIA
(Updated) Damage to a school in Central Israel following last night's interception of missile fired by Houthi forces in Yemen. Vehicles parked near the school also damaged...Israel National News...It was later confirmed that part of an Israeli missile interceptor hit the school...(Israel National News)
The US imposing sanctions on Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile program.
Pakistan saying the sanctions are 'unfortunate and biased' and harm regional stability an apparent reference to regional rival India...India Today
A deadly fire at a cafe in Hanoi, Vietnam. 11 killed in a blaze that police say was deliberately set. A suspect in custody said to have confessed...NOS Netherlands (Translation Prompt)
(UPDATED) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN WITH HIS YEAR END QUESTION AND ANSWER EVENT IN MOSCOW TODAY.
MR. PUTIN SAYING HE'S WILLING TO TALK ABOUT ENDING THE UKRAINE WAR WITH ANYONE INCLUDING US PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP AND UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY...RIA NOVOSTI RUSSIA BLOG (TRANSLATION PROMPT)...
Sharp drops on Wall Street following the latest move by the Federal Reserve on interest rates but first...
LATE NEWS TONIGHT:
"We'll never be the 51st state"
Canadian comedian Mike Myers and Ontario Premier Doug Ford chiming in opposition to a social media post from President-Elect Donald Trump again calling for Canada to become the 51st state...CTV News Canada (Video Embed)...Truth Social Media Post
In Los Angeles an FBI raid on the home of Deputy Mayor Brian Williams. Williams accused in connection with a bomb threat made against City Hall earlier this year.
Williams has been placed on 'administrative leave'...ABC 7 Los Angeles
IN WESTERN CANADA ONE OF TWO POLICE OFFICERS ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT YESTERDAY TAKING HIS OWN LIFE.
SGT. MATTHEW BALL WAS ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND BREACH OF TRUST INVOLVING A 'VULNERABLE WOMAN' IN HER 20'S...CBC NEWS CANADA
Israeli air defenses intercepting a missile fired from Yemen late tonight towards Central Israel.
GHANA'S SUPREME COURT RULING IN FAVOR OF AN LGBTQ LAW THAT IMPOSES JAIL TERMS IN RELATION TO SAME-SEX RELATIONS AND PROMOTING-SPONSORING LGBTQ ACTIVITIES.
ITS NOW UP TO THE COUNTRY'S OUTGOING PRESIDENT OR HIS SUCCESSOR TO DECIDE ON RATIFICATION OF THE LAW...AFP FRANCE-DIGITAL JOURNAL
California Governor Gavin Newsom declaring a state of emergency over bird flu.
There have been outbreaks of the disease among cattle and poultry.
34 human cases of bird flu were reported in California this year...KCRA Sacramento...
Federal health officials report the first severe case of bird flu involving a human in Louisiana...Reuters-Radio New Zealand
POLITICS IN WASHINGTON PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP OPPOSING THE PLAN TO CONTINUE FEDERAL SPENDING PUT FORWARD BY HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON.
INSIDE THE LEGISLATION A PAY RAISE FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM 174,000 TO 243,000 DOLLARS A YEAR.
ELON MUSK JOINING THE CHORUS OF OPPOSITION AS WELL..."X" TRENDING
"Every incident that has occurred in our region, especially in Syria, reminds us of this fact: Turkey is bigger than Turkey. As a nation we cannot limit our horizon to 782,000 square kilometers"
OMINIOUS WORDS FROM THE TURKISH PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN.
THEY COME AS TURKEY (TURKIYE) HAS MASSED MILITARY FORCES OPPOSITE A KURDISH POPULATED PART OF SYRIA.
ISRAEL'S DIASPORA MINISTER AMICHAI CHIKLI EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY AS WELL AS THE EXPULSION OF TURKEY FROM NATO...ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS...
KURDISH OFFICIALS APPEALING FOR INTERVENTION FROM PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP.
MR. TRUMP HAS SPOKEN OF THE RECENT OVERTHROW OF PRESIDENT BASHAR ASSAD AS AN 'UNFRIENDLY' TAKEOVER OF SYRIA BY TURKEY...(NEWS AGENCIES)
At least 13 people have been killed in a collision between an Indian naval vessel and a passenger ferry.
THE US HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE VOTING TO RELEASE A REPORT ON FORMER REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN MATT GAETZ.
MR. GAETZ SAYING THE REPORT TO BE POSTED ONLINE TOMORROW WILL CONTAIN EMBARASSING THINGS ABOUT HIM BUT NOTHING CRIMINAL...BBC NEWS
The US Federal Reserve Board cut the interest rate by .25 percent but signaled fewer cuts in the future...(News Agencies)
THE US SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR ARGUMENTS ON THE TIKTOK LAW THAT FORCES ITS CURRENT CHINESE OWNERSHIP TO SHUT DOWN OR SELL ITS STAKE BY JANUARY 19TH.
TIK TOK CHALLENGING THE LAW PASSED BY CONGRESS AND SIGNED BY JOE BIDEN EARLIER THIS YEAR ON FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOM OF SPEECH GROUNDS.
JANUARY 10TH SET AT THE DATE FOR THE COURT TO HEAR ARGUMENTS...(NEWS AGENCIES)
France's top court confirming the corruption conviction and one-year prison sentence of former President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Sarkozy again maintained his innocence today. He is expected to request home detention with an electronic bracelet...Associated Press USA-Euronews
IN THE AFRICAN NATION OF LIBERIA OPPOSITION PROTESTS DEMANDING THAT THE PRESIDENT LEAVE OFFICE.
A FIRE BROKE OUT AT THE COUNTRY'S PARLIAMENT BUILDING TODAY.
THE PROTESTERS OPPOSING A MOVE TO REMOVE THE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER WHO IS ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION.
PROTESTERS ARRESTED AND DISPERSED BY POLICE...LBC NEWS UK
Sharp drops on the markets this afternoon reacting to the Federal Reserve Board's interest rate policy.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average down 1,123 points or 2.58 percent.
The NASDAQ dropped 716.37 points or 3.56 percent.
At 449 pm New York Time the price of oil at 70 dollars nine cents a barrel up one cent...Marketwatch
MISINFORMATION ABOUT CANADA IS BEING GENERATED BY ONLINE BOTS AND MEDIA OUTLETS FRIENDLY TO THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT OF PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI.
THEY ARE AIMED AT PROMOTING CONFLICT BETWEEN HINDUS AND SIKHS IN CANADA.
EARLIER THIS YEAR CANADIAN AUTHORITIES EXPELLED INDIAN DIPLOMATS FROM CANADA.
IT WAS REVEALED THAT INDIA'S GOVERNMENT WAS INVOLVED IN A CAMPAIGN AGAINST SIKH NATIONALISTS IN CANADA THAT INCLUDED CONSPIRACY TO MURDER...CBC NEWS CANADA
Dutch F-35 warplanes intercepting four Russian military planes over the Baltic Sea. The Dutch aircraft part of a NATO mission stationed in Estonia this month.
The interception of the Russian airplanes in conjunction with Finland and Sweden NATO's newest member states...NOS Netherlands (Translation Prompt)
RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES DETAINED A SUSPECT IN YESTERDAY'S ASSASSINATON OF A GENERAL IN MOSCOW.
We are being told by Mainstream Media that North Korean soldiers are in combat defending Russia from Ukrainian forces invading its Kursk Region.
Ukrainian media are one source for these stories speaking of hundreds of North Koreans killed and wounded in the fighting...Korea JoongAngDaily South Korea
TWO STRANDED ASTRONAUTS AT THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION WILL HAVE TO WAIT LONGER TO RETURN TO EARTH.
A SPACE X CAPSULE SET TO GO THERE IN FEBRUARY WON'T BE READY UNTIL MARCH OR APRIL.
ASTRONAUTS BUTCH WILMORE AND SUNI WILLIAMS FOUND THEMSELVES STRANDED LAST JUNE WHEN THEIR BOEING STARLINER CAPSULE ENCOUNTERED MULTIPLE ISSUES...NOS NETHERLANDS (TRANSLATION PROMPT)
A burgeoning budget deficit in Australia now forecast to be 21.8 billion dollars more (13.78 billion US dollars).
The Labor Party government criticized by business experts and the opposition in parliament over the level of its spending...ABC News Australia Live Blog
IN WESTERN CANADA TWO POLICE OFFICERS ARE CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT.
A POLICE SERGEANT AND CONSTABLE WITH THE CENTRAL SAANICH POLICE SERVICE ON VANCOUVER ISLAND ARRESTED AFTER AN INVESTIGATON BY THE VANCOUVER CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THE OFFICERS ALLEGED TO HAVE MET THE VICTIM CALLED A 'VULNERABLE WOMAN' WHILE THEY WERE ON DUTY...CTV NEWS CANADA
"I can tell you, we were not aware of this operation in advance. We do not support or enable those kinds of activities."
PENTAGON SPOKESMAN PAT RYDER SAYS THE US DEFENSE DEPARTMENT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ASSASSINATION OF RUSSIAN LT. GEN IGOR KIRILLOV...TASS RUSSIA...(MORE ON THIS STORY LATER IN THE SUMMARY)
14 are dead in the earthquake that struck Vanuatu in the South Pacific with a magnitude of 7.3.
The search continues through rubble with a seven-day state of emergency declaration...BBC News
THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT ROLLING OUT A 1.3 BILLION DOLLAR (910 MILLION US DOLLAR) BORDER SECURITY PLAN.
THIS IS DESIGNED TO ANSWER THE THREAT OF 25 PERCENT TARIFFS FROM US PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP UNLESS THE BORDER IS SECURED.
PLANS INCLUDE MORE HELICOPTERS AND DRONES ALONG WITH MORE PERSONNEL FROM CANADA'S ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE AND BORDER SERVICES AGENCY DEPLOYED ALONG THE US BORDER...CTV NEWS CANADA
THE AIR RAID ALERT SOUNDED IN KIEV LATE THIS EVENING AFTER THE ALERT IN SEVERAL OTHER REGIONS OF UKRAINE...RIA NOVOSTI RUSSIA
In Canada the opposition Conservative Party decisively winning the special election for a House of Commons seat in British Columbia.
The margin of victory for the Conservatives more than 3 to 1 in a seat the Liberals won by a close margin in the 2021 election...CBC News...
The election result sending another shock through the Liberal Party following yesterday's stunning resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
In the aftermath of her resignation more calls from within the ranks of Liberals in Parliament for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's to leave.
A BRITISH JUDGE RULING THAT MIGRANTS WERE UNLAWFULLY DETAINED ON A BRITISH ISLAND IN THE INDIAN OCEAN.
THE MIGRANTS IN QUESTION WERE MOVED TO THE UK BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT EARLIER THIS YEAR...BBC NEWS
DENMARK REJECTING AN EXTRADITION REQUEST FROM JAPAN AND FREEING ANTI-WHALING ACTIVIST PAUL WATSON FROM A JAIL IN GREENLAND.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average down 267.58 points or .61 percent.
The NASDAQ fell 64.83 points.
At 422 pm New York Time the price of oil lower at 70 dollars 22 cents a barrel down 49 cents or .69 percent...Marketwatch
Two Israeli soldiers killed in a building collapse in southern Gaza...Israel National News
(Updated) Russian Lr. General Igor Kirillov and an aide killed in bomb blast in Moscow this morning.
The bomb planted in a motor scooter.
General Kirillov was in charge of Chemical, Radiation and Biological protection soldiers of the Russian military...Tass Russia...
Russia's foreign ministry says his assassination was an act of terrorism by Ukraine with the connivance of Western powers...Tass Russia
CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI SAYS THAT THE UNITED STATES IS INVOLVED IN 'UNJUSTIFIED OPPRESSION' AND 'GROSS INTERFERENCE' AGAINST CHINA.
US ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AND TRADE RESTRICTIONS ALONG WITH ACCUSATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS REGARDING TAIWAN FIGURE IN HIS COMMENTS...RIA NOVOSTI RUSSIA (TRANSLATION PROMPT)
In the Australian state of Victoria restrictions on public protests planned after an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue.
Premier Jacinta Allan of the Labour Party speaking of the need to protect multiculturalism and social cohesion.
Protests around houses of worship in general will be banned with 'safe spaces' being created.
The wearing of masks, display of terrorist organization flags and possession of locks and glue to be banned at protests...ABC News Australia
South Korea's Constitutional Court wants President Yoon Suk Yeol to give written answers ahead of his impeachment trial....Yonhap News Agency South Korea...
Meanwhile prosecutors want Mr. Yoon to appear for questioning this Saturday over his declaration of martial law...Yonhap News Agency South Korea
(Updated )A 7.4 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE STRUCK VANUATU IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC WITH A TSUNAMI THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES ANNOUNCED. HOWEVER OFFICIAL WORD IS THAT THERE IS NO DETECTED TSUNAMI THREAT TO UNITED STATES TERRITORY.
SIRENS HEARD IN PORT VILA VANUATU'S CAPITAL CITY WITH MAJOR LANDSLIDES REPORTED NEARBY.
President-Elect Donald Trump meeting the CEO of TikTok as a deadline looms that could shut down the social media app in the United States.
TikTok also filing an emergency appeal with the US Supreme Court in the face of a law that requires a sell-off by its current Chinese ownership or it will have to shut down on January 19th...BBC News
White House National Security spokesman John Kirby says the drone sightings in the northeastern United States are a combination of things.
(Updated) A shooting attack at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin.
Three are dead six others hurt with the attacker a student among the dead.
Two of the wounded in critical condition.
A teacher and a student killed.
The 15-year-old female student attacker took her own life.
She is identified as Natalie "Samantha" Rupnow and according to police there is a manifesto circulating which they are not confirming the authenticity of.
US PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP APPEARING BEFORE THE MEDIA TODAY.
MR. TRUMP ANSWERING QUESTIONS ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES AT A SURPRISE PRESS CONFERENCE...
ONE HOUR, 12 MINUTE VIDEO OF TRUMP NEWS CONFERENCE 12/16/2024
Canada's Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigning saying Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wanted her out.
Freeland was set to deliver an economic statement in the House of Commons this afternoon.
Her decision delivers another jolt to the Liberal Party government of Mr. Trudeau unpopular at home and facing compliance with the demands of US President-Elect Donald Trump...CBC News Canada
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TARGETING A DEMOCRATIC NATION FRIENDLY TO RUSSIA WITH ACCUSATIONS OF SPYING ON JOURNALISTS AND POLITICAL OPPONENTS.
FORMER SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR ASSAD ISSUING A STATEMENT TODAY SAYING HE WAS RESISTING ATTEMPTS BY JIHADIST FORCES TO TAKE CONTROL OF SYRIA TILL THE END.
ASSAD SAID HE LEFT SYRIA FROM A RUSSIAN AIR BASE LATE ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 8TH. HIS EVACUATION CARRIED OUT WHEN THE BASE CAME UNDER ATTACK FROM THE JIHADIST FORCES.
EARLIER IN THE DAY HE LEFT DAMASCUS TO CONTINUE RESISTING THE JIHADISTS FROM THAT RUSSIAN AIR BASE IN LATAKIA PROVINCE.
MR. ASSAD EXPRESSED HIS HOPE THAT SYRIA WOULD HAVE A 'FREE AND INDEPENDENT' FUTURE...TASS RUSSIA
The markets today.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average down 110.58 points.
The NASDAQ up 247.17 points or 1.24 percent.
At 444 pm New York Time the price of oil lower at 70 dollars 57 cents a barrel down 72 cents or 1.01 percent...Marketwatch
THE DEATH TOLL FROM THE CYCLONE IN THE FRENCH TERRITORY OF MAYOTTE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN COULD REACH INTO THE THOUSANDS.
ONLY 20 DEATHS ARE NOW CONFIRMED BUT THE DEVASTATION TO BUILDINGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IS VAST.
300,000 PEOPLE LIVE IN MAYOTTE MANY IN PRIMITIVE CONDITIONS...BBC NEWS LIVE BLOG
South Korea's Constitutional Court holds its first hearing on the legality of his impeachment on Friday December 27th...Yonhap News Agency South Korea
ISRAEL'S MILITARY SAYS A DRONE FROM YEMEN WAS DOWNED OFF ISRAEL'S MEDITERRANEAN COAST THIS MORNING...TIMES OF ISRAEL
MORE ISRAELI AIR STRIKES AGAINST SYRIAN MILITARY FACILITIES EARLY MONDAY MORNING.
Later this week meetings on the situation in Myanmar will be held in Thailand.
Representatives from the five nations neighboring Myanmar including China and India as well as Myanmar's military government are involved in a meeting on Thursday.
Foreign Ministers of interested countries from the Association of South East Asian Nations participating in another meeting on Friday.
There is an ongoing conflict in Myanmar between its military government and various rebel forces...Reuters-Straits Times Singapore
(SERVICE WHEN ABLE WITH FINAL POSTING 1130 PM-12 MIDNIGHT EASTERN US TIME)
LATE NEWS TONIGHT:
A 16-year-old boy in custody in New Mexico after the quadruple homicide of his family members.
Sheriff's deputies entered a home in the city of Belen south of Albuquerque finding two adults and two minors dead.
The suspect said to have made an emergency call telling a dispatcher he had killed his family.
He was found outside the home with his hands in the air appearing 'extremely intoxicated'...AFP France-New Zealand Herald
ISRAELI MEDIA REPORTING THAT PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP TOLD PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANUAHU THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PRIORITY IS DEALING WITH IRAN.
THIS MEANS EXTENSION OF ISRAELI SOVEREIGNTY IN THE 'WEST BANK' (JUDEA AND SAMARIA) WILL NOT BE A MAJOR CONCERN...ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS
Seven foreign nationals including two Americans hospitalized in Fiji suspected of being poisoned by alcohol. Some of those in hospital said to be in serious condition...BBC News
RUSSIA HAS EVACUATED SOME OF IT STAFF INCLUDING DIPLOMATS FROM SYRIA. RUSSIA ALSO EVACUATING DIPLOMATS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES INCLUDING NORTH KOREA...RIA NOVOSTI RUSSIA (TRANSLATION PROMPT)
TURKEY (TURKIYE) SAYS IT IS WILLING TO MEDIATE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE NEW GOVERNMENT IN SYRIA.
FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN SPEAKING TO A SAUDI MEDIA OUTLET SAYING THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT IS CLOSELY COORDINATING POLICY ON SYRIA WITH SAUDI ARABIA...TASS RUSSIA
One crew member died and others were rescued when an oil tanker ran aground in Russia's Kerch Strait. Another tanker damaged in stormy weather in the area. Both ships leaking oil causing authorities to declare an emergency...Tass Russia
In Libya fighting has shut down a major oil refinery.
Two factions clashed around Libya's second largest refinery in the western part of the country. Fires erupted in storage units at the refinery.
Factions loyal to Libya's central government and its opponents have fought frequently in the area.
Libya has been in turmoil and conflict since 2011 when former ruler Moammar Qaddafi was overthrown in an operation backed by the United States and allied nations...News Agencies-Deutsche Welle Germany
(THIS STORY UPDATED WITH IRISH GOVERNMENT REACTION)
ISRAEL SHUTTING DOWN ITS EMBASSY IN IRELAND.
THIS FOLLOWS THE DECISION OF THE IRISH GOVERNMENT TO JOIN AN INTERNATIONAL COURT CASE AGAINST ISRAEL ACCUSING IT OF GENOCIDE IN GAZA.
EARLIER THIS YEAR IRELAND, SPAIN AND NORWAY RECOGNIZED A PALESTINIAN STATE.
ISRAEL'S FOREIGN MINISTER GIDEON SA'AR CITING IRELAND'S 'EXTREME ANTI-ISRAEL POLICY' IN THE EMBASSY CLOSURE DECISION...TIMES OF ISRAEL...
REACTING TO THE DECISION IRISH PRIME MINISTER (TAOISEACH) SIMON HARRIS SAYING ISRAEL MADE A 'DEEPLY REGRETTABLE DECISION'.
MR. HARRIS ALSO SAID:
"Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-International law"...
FIVE ARE DEAD IN SHOOTING ATTACKS IN NORTHERN FRANCE NEAR DUNKIRK. FOUR OF THEM TWO MIGRANTS AND TWO SECURITY GUARDS SHOT AT TWO SEPARATE LOCATIONS NEAR A MIGRANT CAMP.
A SUSPECT ARRESTED CONFESSING TO ANOTHER FATAL SHOOTING NEARBY. IT IS BEING SAID THE MOTIVE FOR THE ATTACKS IS 'UNKNOWN'...BBC NEWS
IN BRAZIL FORMER DEFENSE MINISTER WALTER BRAGA NETTO ARRESTED ACCUSED IN CONNECTION WITH AN ALLEGED COUP BY FORMER PRESIDENT JAIR BOLSONARO.
Mikheil Kavelashvili elected as the President of the nation of Georgia this weekend.
His election by vote of a special electoral college.
The former soccer played backed by the ruling friendly to Russia Georgian Dream that won re-election earlier this year.
The current Anti-Russian President Salome Zourabichvili disputes the governmental election results earlier this year and she is refusing to leave office when he term ends December 29th...Associated Press USA-Outlook India
THE SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT YOON SUK YEOL SUSPENDED FROM OFFICE AFTER A SECOND ATTEMPT TO IMPEACH HIM SUCCEEDED.
HIS REMOVAL FROM OFFICE DEPENDENT ON A RULING FROM THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT.
PRESIDENT YOON WAS DEFIANT AFTER THE VOTE TRIGGERED BY STRONG OPPOSITION TO HIS SHORT-LIVED DECLARATION OF MARTIAL LAW EARLIER THIS MONTH...BBC NEWS
A statement this weekend from the US Department of Defense regarding drone sightings over military installations in New Jersey.
Word this weekend of a 15-million-dollar settlement of a defamation suit brought by President-Elect Donald Trump against ABC News and host George Stephanopoulos.
The 15 million dollars going to a charity with ABC also paying Mr. Trump's legal expenses in the lawsuit.
Trump's suit linked to comments Stephanopoulos made back in March as he interviewed Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace.
Those comments related to a lawsuit against Mr. Trump from writer E. Jean Carroll alleging rape and defamation...Tass Russia
THIS WEEKEND PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP NAMING RICHARD GRENELL AS A SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY FOR SPECIAL MISSIONS.
HE WILL DEAL WITH NATIONS UNFRIENDLY TO THE UNITED STATES LIKE NORTH KOREA AND VENEZUELA.
GRENELL HAS WORKED IN FOREIGN POLICY POSITIONS IN THE GEORGE W. BUSH AND DONALD TRUMP ADMINISTRATIONS.
HE WAS A FOREIGN POLICY SPOKESMAN FOR 2012 GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MITT ROMNEY.
GRENELL WENT TO EVANGEL UNIVERSITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD AND HARVARD WHERE HE RECEIVED A MASTERS DEGREE.
This week I spent some time with Romans Chapter 8 and why not music related to parts of it starting with this...
"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time"
Romans 8:22 NIV Bible
"THE PAIN THAT PLAGUES CREATION"-MARK HEARD
"ALL THINGS"-GLAD
"MORE THAN CONQUERERS"-JANNY GREIN
"WE ARE PERSUADED"-BILL GAITHER TRIO
Your host back with you another attempt at media excellence 11 days before Christmas 2024...
CORPORATE MEDIA
CORPORATE DRAMA
CORPORATE MURDER
This week the arrest of Luigi Mangione in the murder of United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson.
It looks like this young man was obsessed with some injustices real or imagined felt the need to "change society".
I reflected on my own youth a little bit and there was this obsession in my childish youth I mean in my 20's back in the 1980's to "change society".
I had these visions dancing around of some perfect society or perfect culture but even though I heard about the perfect plan for my life I was getting distracted from that plan.
Later on I would become downright angry and very distracted...
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's none and only Son.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of the light because their deeds were evil."
JOHN 3:16-19 NIV BIBLE
I READ SOME FOLKS SAYING THIS MURDER IS ABOUT HOW 'THE LEFT' HAS NO MORAL COMPASS.
THIS CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN HYPOCRITE SAYS ALL HAVE SINNED AND LOST THEIR MORAL COMPASS AND NEED SALVATION OFFERED TO THEM THROUGH OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
HUMAN LIFE MADE IN GOD'S IMAGE NOW RUNS INTO THE NOTION OF:
Medically Assisted Death
MAD
"Libertarians" like David Seymour down in New Zealand Minister of Administration want more of it and he is so revered by "Conservatives"
And Leftists like the Labour Party in the UK make it into law...
Meanwhile from Iran the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei says:
"It should not be doubted that what happened in Syria was the product of a joint American and Zionist plot.
Yes. a neighboring government of Syria plays, played and is playing a clear role...but the main conspirator, mastermind, and command center are in America and the Zionist regime"
IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMANEI 12/11/2024..
So yes, Benjamin Netanyahu aims big at this rate considering it was an operation starting on Thanksgiving that took out Syria.
Will Iran be vanquished on Christmas Day?
Heck Hanukkah is on December 25th this year as well.
ARE WE BEING GASLIT AND PSYCHED FOR WAR WITH IRAN IN THE LEAD UP TO CHRISTMAS DAY?
Was it only yesterday that "Rita X" told Rush Limbaugh on his radio show about the "motherplane" out there in connection with the UFO's.
That was in connection with the teachings of Minister Louis Farrakhan's Nation of Islam.
Here is El Rushbo to bring back the memory...
Now we come to this week and Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew telling Fox News about an "Iranian Mothership" off the east coast of the United States.
This in connection with the drones being talked about over the skies of the Northeastern US...
The news story translated from Dutch actually quotes Mr. Rutte using the word "spiritually" when it comes to preparing for war what a comment.
When you think it through Russia starting with the coup in Ukraine in 2014 overthrowing the Pro-Russian but elected government was led through a series of provocations that led to their military offensive in Ukraine in 2022?
Since then, economic sanctions severing Russia's economic ties to Europe.
Now we are watching the process emerging designed to provoke China into military action over Taiwan that will lead to severing its economic ties to the rest of the world.
The US right now getting new bases developed the western Pacific for the blockade of the sea lanes that connect China to most of the world.
And the endgame US economic domination of the world I guess you could call it...
America Made Great Again
But how much blood gets spilled in this process???
SATURDAY NIGHT IN THE USA
Drove off the car dealer lot with a 2025 model just a car no SUV but a sunroof this is like a 30,000 dollar car . Nice color and shiny new.
Dinner for two costing around 50 dollars with the tip both Friday and Saturday night as my wife and I ate out.
There is shopping in stores for Christmas and we were shopping for household decor last night.
More shopping in the week ahead.
THE SUNDAY NEWS SUMMARY WILL START TO POST AT MIDNIGHT EASTERN US TIME TONIGHT.
Roy K offers his insight and if you are alone and tired late tonight Lust isn't what you need Roy wrote a book called "Impossible Joy" here is a portion...
"It is the suffering of surrender in every temptation to sin, as I did at the bus stop incident. It is the sending away of that sin. So he can bear its consequences in himself so I can be released from that temptation---be released from that temptation---and be free and clean. Free from having to act on the sin, and thus clean, with nothing between my soul and the Savior.
This is the prayer of Philippians 3:10-11, that I may know him and the fellowship of his sufferings. This is Paul's great affirmation when he says, 'I am crucified with Christ' (Galatians 2:20)"
