Wednesday, November 27, 2019

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT WEDNESDAY 11/27/2019 THANKSGIVING WEEK NEWSDUMP



(LIMITED SERVICE WITH POSTING LATE TONIGHT FROM 1030 PM ON EASTERN TIME)





US District Judge Emmett Sullivan delaying the planned sentencing of General Michael Flynn.    The December 18th sentencing hearing is off because of the Justice Department's Inspector General report on the origins of the Russian collusion probe against President Trump and his supporters.



That investigation may reveal the altering of documents used in the prosecution of Flynn by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.



President Trump signing a Hong Kong human rights law passed overwhelmingly in Congress and China threatening unspecified consequences.

The Chinese foreign ministry speaking of "firm counter measures" to President Trump's signing of the Human Rights and Democracy Act.

The BBC's version of the story......LINK



"Co-operation, yes, intervention, no"


The reaction from Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to President Trump's stated intention in a Tuesday interview to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist groups.


Such a designation would legalize US military action against the drug cartels.






Israel's President Reuven Rivlin meeting with the UK's  Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis in London a day after Mirvis took aim at Britain's Labor Party during the General Election campaign.



The Israeli President supporting the Chief Rabbi's position saying that there should be:



"no room for anti-Semitism in the halls of power"






An explosion at a chemical plant in Texas early this morning with a fireball that could be seen for miles and broken glass miles away.


The blast occurred around `1 am local time, 2 am Eastern at the TPC plant in Port Neches.


Three injuries reported.



Later today a second explosion and a mandatory evacuation for thousands of people living in the area of the plant.



More from KFDM in Beaumont, Texas......LINK



The protests in Iraq continue with an attack on the Iranian consulate in the city of Najaf tonight.


The building burned to the ground with 33 wounded as police fought the protesters with Saudi Arabia's "Al Arabiya" news channel saying live ammunition was used.


The version from Iran's "Press TV" says  nearly 50 members of the security forces injured and that a curfew was imposed in Najaf following the attack.


Elsewhere in Iraq six protesters were killed today.


The version of Saudi Arabia's "Al Arabiya"......LINK


The version of Iran's "Press TV"........LINK



Lawmakers in Chile agreeing late Wednesday night to fast-track legislation creating tougher penalties for protesters as protests in the country continued this week.


Both opposition and government agreeing to a statement which starts:



"The country is confronting a crisis of violence and vandalism that threatens our democracy"


The new law is said to "protect human rights" but will increase police spying and toughen punishment for protesters.


Reuters reports......LINK





An earthquake on the Greek island of Crete today.   Magnitude 6.0 with no injuries or major damage to buildings reported.     The quake just 24 hours or so after a 6.4 quake in Albania where the recovery and search effort continues with at least 35 dead and hundreds of other injured.


The grand opening of a new highway connecting Russia's two major cities.


The M-11 toll road between Moscow and St. Petersburg will be called "Neva" following a contest to vote on a name.



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


An for now that' the way it really is Wednesday November 27th, 2019.




Tuesday, November 26, 2019

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT TUESDAY 11/26/2019 NEWSDUMP THANKSGIVING WEEK




(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH LATE TUESDAY)




A  US District Judge in Oregon issuing a preliminary injunction against a proclamation from President Trump requiring immigrants to prove they can get or pay for health insurance before entering the United States.


District Judge Michael H. Simon had already held an unusual Saturday hearing on November 2nd followed by an emergency order to temporarily halt implementation of the proclamation. 


More from Maxine Bernstein of "Oregon Live".......LINK




In Washington the House Democrats moving their "impeachment inquiry" forward next Wednesday December 4th with a Judiciary Committee hearing.    A letter sent to President Trump today notifying him of the procedural hearing and inviting him to  attend or designate a representative.


The House Intelligence Committee Democrats  now moving to issue a report next Tuesday December 3rd following their hearings.





A rally in Israel tonight in support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following his indictment last week in three corruption cases.


The theme of the Tel Aviv event is "protecting the state, stop the coup".


Israeli flags waved at the event with thousands reported in attendance.    


The anti-Netanyahu "Haaretz" reported some two thousand in attendance while "Ynet" reported the number to be at least eight thousand.



Opposition leader Benny Gantz of the Blue and White Party opposing the protest saying in part:


"In a healthy democracy, the Prime Minister does not organize demonstrations against the law enforcement system, which he is in charge of"


Some Israeli media emphasizing the non-participation of Likud Party politicians and politicians from the conservative and religious parties who normally support Netanyahu in tonight's rally.




ISRAEL ATTACKING TARGETS IN GAZA LATE TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING AFTER TWO ROCKETS WERE FIRED INTO SOUTHERN ISRAEL AT AROUND 850 PM LOCAL TIME, 150 PM EASTERN US TIME.



President Trump is moving to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist groups.    He told Bill O'Reilly in an interview that he has been working for the last three months on such a designation.


Mexico's foreign ministry reported requesting an urgent meeting with the US State Department about the matter.


More on this from the BBC......LINK




13 French soldiers died when two helicopters crashed during a combat operation in the African nation of Mali.


The helicopters collided with each other.


Tributes to the soldiers pouring in from French President Emmanuel Macron and other political leaders.


Some 4500 French soldiers are deployed in Africa to fight terrorist groups.



More than 20 dead and hundreds injured following a 6.4 magnitude earthquake early today in Albania.


Buildings collapsed trapping people underneath the rubble.


Dozens of protesters detained, three injuries reported in the nation of Georgia when police cracked down on an opposition rally in the early hours of Tuesday morning.


Water cannon used to break up a protest calling for political reforms in the country including an immediate election with proportional representation.   


The former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri says he is not interested in returning to his old job, calling his decision "decisive".    Hariri resigned following mass protests in Lebanon and he now says that a new prime minister is needed to answer the aspirations of the protesters.


From Lebanon a second night of clashes reported between rival political factions in the country.


The BBC reports........LINK



US Ambassador to Germany Rick Grenell says there is "no moral equivalency" when it comes to the United States and China.


Germany's Economy Minister Peter Altmaier has noted that the US spied on Germany specifically the 2013 revelation that the National Security Agency spied on German Chancellor Angela Merkel.


Altmaier discussing Germany's decision not to ban China's Huawei firm from participating in Germany's  5G network.


And for now that's the way it really is Tuesday November 26th, 2019.


Monday, November 25, 2019

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT MONDAY 11/25/2019



(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH LATE MONDAY)



A federal district judge ruling Monday that former White House Counsel Don McGahn must testify before the House "impeachment inquiry".


The Department of Justice filing an appeal of the ruling by US District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.


The White House saying that its staff is not required to participate in Congressional testimony.




SOUTH KOREA'S DEFENSE MINISTRY PROTESTING TO NORTH KOREA OVER ARTILLERY FIRING DRILLS BY THE NORTH.


ON SATURDAY THE NORTH KOREANS CONDUCTED THE FIRING DRILLS NEAR THE COUNTRY'S BORDERS ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEADLY SHELLING OF  A SOUTH KOREAN ISLAND.



The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran, Gen. Hossein Salami warning Iran's enemies:



"If you cross our red line, we will destroy you....We will not leave any move unanswered"


General Salami spoke in Tehran at a massive pro-government rally Monday following anti-government protests against a rise in gasoline prices last week.


Blame being cast on foreign forces for the unrest with the US, UK, Israel and Saudi Arabia being named according to the Associated Press.




THIS STORY FROM IRAN'S PRESS TV REPORTS ON A SPEECH BY AN IRGC COMMANDER TO WOMEN IN IRAN'S RELIGIOUS POLICE (BASIJ) WHERE HE TALKS ABOUT FOREIGN INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROTESTS......LINK




Israel's Attorney General Avechai Mandelblit announcing Monday night that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not have to resign following his indictment last week in three corruption cases.


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





More politics in Israel with Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) Party leader Avigdor Lieberman rejecting any notion of immunity for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from parliament following his indictment in three corruption cases.   Lieberman says the issue must be decided in court.    He said:



"I hope that at the end of the process Netanyahu will be found innocent, clean as snow, but that can only be done in court"


Mr. Lieberman viewed as a kingmaker in Israeli politics.    His party a traditional ally of Mr. Netanyahu's Likud Party on the "Right" but Lieberman holding back support to form a new government following the two elections in Israel this year.


He is now saying that appears a third election is on the way because of the political deadlock in the country.


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



The largest Catalan pro-independence party says its willing to support a government led by Spain's Socialists if they will agree to talks on independence.


Following Spain's second election this year the Socialists and their left-wing allies Podemos can only muster 155 seats in the parliament's lower house, 21 seats short of  a majority.


No word if the Socialists will accept the "Republican Left of Catalonia" and its 13 seats worth of support.   But if they did so, it might enable them to get their majority with the help of small separatist parties in the various Spanish regions.



In Peru the country's highest court ordering the release of opposition leader Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori.


Keiko Fujimori was jailed last year under investigation for corruption in a case where no charges have been filed yet.


She will be free as the country gets ready for legislative elections in January.





 Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he's "deeply disturbed by allegations of Chinese espionage efforts aimed at Australian politics.


The Nine Network in Australia reported on its "60 Minutes" program that a Chinese-Australian man who later died under mysterious circumstances was approached to run as a candidate for Mr. Morrison's Liberal Party before the General Election earlier this year.


A Chinese man who has applied for asylum in Australia says he was involved in spying in the country and that Chinese agents have been trying to influence Australian politics.


The Chinese government is denying any meddling in Australian politics.


More from Australia's "Nine News".......LINK






France's leading opposition politician Marine Le Pen coming out in opposition to President Emmanuel Macron's "pension reform" plan.

Le Pen calling the proposal to combine 42 pension plans into one a:


"coup plan"



that:


"will affect all French"



and something that President Macron:


"wants to impose at all costs"


The National Rally leader did not endorse the general strike planned by labor unions for December 5th but she said people can protest as they see fit.

Le Pen also saying that if one million new jobs were created in France 25 billion dollars more in revenue to fund pensions would be created.


Business news and a major deal in the retail brokerage sector with Charles Schwab announcing a 26 billion dollar deal to acquire TD Ameritrade.


Charles Schwab cut commissions to zero recently and this new move will increase its power over the discount brokerage sector.


More from "BNN Bloomberg"......LINK


And for now that's the way it really is on this Monday November 25th, 2019.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT SUNDAY 11/24/2019





Wikileaks and other sources reporting about an internal email from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons that points to a biased report being produced on an alleged chemical weapons attack by the Syrian government in the city of Douma in April 2018.


The revelation comes on the weekend before a meeting of the OPCW at The Hague in the Netherlands.



"Southfront"  has more on this......LINK



Peter Hitchens on his blog today with a post as well headlined:


"SEXED UP TO MAKE WAR"


that discusses the doctoring of the OPCW report that provided the basis for the US and other nations to attack Syria:


PETER HITCHENS BLOG



WIKILEAKS FOUNDER JULIAN ASSANGE COULD DIE IN PRISON.  THAT'S THE MESSAGE IN AN OPEN LETTER FROM SOME 60 DOCTORS NOTING A DETERIORATION IN HIS HEALTH.



ASSANGE IS BEING HELD AT THE BRITISH GITMO, BELMARSH PRISON IN LONDON.


THE DOCTORS SAY AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT ASSANGE "REQUIRES URGENT EXPERT MEDICAL ASSESSMENT OF BOTH HIS PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STATE OF HEALTH"


ASSANGE HAS APPARENTLY HAD MEDICAL ISSUES SINCE HIS ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT EARLIER THIS YEAR.    WHEN ACTIVIST TOMMY ROBINSON WAS HELD IN THE AREA OF THE MEDICAL WING AT BELMARSH DURING THE SUMMER, HE CONVERSED WITH ASSANGE THROUGH THE WINDOWS.



MORE ON THIS STORY FROM "DEUTSCHE WELLE".....LINK



"Have no fear, all will end well for everyone!"



That was the Sunday morning tweet from President Trump on Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher.



Later Sunday morning news came out that the White House is allowing the Navy brass to kick Gallagher out of the SEAL's after his conviction on war crimes charges for posing for a picture with the corpse of an ISIS terrorist.



ON SUNDAY EVENING WE HAVE WORD OF THE FIRING OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY RICHARD SPENCER AND HIS REPLACEMENT WITH KEN BRAITHWAITE, CURRENTLY US AMBASSADOR TO NORWAY.


PRESIDENT TRUMP TWEETING TONIGHT IN PART REGARDING EDDIE GALLAGHER:



"EDDIE WILL RETIRE PEACEFULLY WITH ALL OF THE HONORS HE HAS EARNED, INCLUDING HIS TRIDENT PIN"


SPENCER IN HIS RESIGNATION LETTER SAYING THAT HE 'CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE' CARRY OUT THE ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.


The Presidential tweet of Sunday morning......LINK


The Associated Press reports that the White House will not stop the Navy's disciplinary action against Gallagher.   More on the story from "Axios".....LINK







Results from the local elections in Hong Kong show strong gains for the pro-democracy candidates.     Record turnout was reported for the elections seen as an indicator of public opinion following months of protests in the city.



Results reported so far show the pro-democracy candidates at 278 seats and pro-Beijing candidates at 42 seats.     The local councils have little power but the vote sends a symbolic message about public opinion in the territory controlled by China.



In Romania the "centrist" President Klaus Iohannis is the winner of the runoff election leading with 63 percent of the popular vote over his opponent Viorica Dancila.


Iohannis saying that a "modern, European, normal Romania won today".



From the South American nation of Uruguay tonight the candidate of the "Right" Luis Lacalle Pou leading the candidate of the "Left" Daniel Martinez 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent in the presidential runoff election.


More than 99 percent of the votes counted in the election.


No winner declared because of the closeness of the vote.  Expectations had been that Mr. Pou would be the winner by a wider margin.




In the race for President in 2020, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.   Bloomberg a late entry in the Democrat field of candidates.


Bloomberg announcing his candidacy today saying he wants to "defeat Donald Trump" and "rebuild America".


He's worth a reported 52 billion dollars and is investing 150 million dollars to launch his presidential campaign.




In Israel Likud Party politician Gideon Saar leading a challenge to the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.


Its reported that there will be discussion about holding a primary in the Likud Party for leadership.


This is happening in the context of the indictment of Netanyahu on charges in three corruption cases last Thursday.


Israel's left-leaning and anti-Netanyahu "Haaretz"  doesn't see a serious threat to the Prime Minister yet.....LINK



Nine more deaths reported among demonstrators in Iraq today including two in southern port city of Basra and three others in the city of Nasiriyah.


Mainstream media reports have said during the weeks of protest that government forces are using live ammunition on protesters.


But a pro-Iran militia leader is claiming "third party" outside groups are causing problems with the United States and Israel the ultimate culprits.



More from Iran's "Press TV"......LINK




Vice-President Mike Pence's Saturday visit to Iraq featuring meetings with US troops and Kurdish leaders but only a phone call to Iraq's president with the media noting he was avoiding Iraqi government leaders.



FROM LEBANON THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS A CLASH BETWEEN ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTERS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE IRANIAN BACKED HEZBOLLAH MOVEMENT LATE TONIGHT.


SECURITY FORCES SEPARATED THE TWO SIDES DURING THE INCIDENT AT THE RING BRIDGE IN BEIRUT.


"ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS" PUBLISHED THIS STORY ABOUT THE INCIDENT.....LINK


THIS YOU TUBE VIDEO CONTAINS STILL PICTURES OF TONIGHT'S EVENTS AND EARLIER PROTESTS IN BEIRUT.....LINK




Some of the latest on Jeffrey Epstein comes from tabloid newspapers.    "The Sun" in the UK saying that Epstein's girlfriend and close associate Ghislaine Maxwell will talk to the FBI.


The report says that "sources say she is set to defend herself and the prince" 



More from "The Sun"......LINK






Also the "Sunday Mirror"  tabloid in the UK out with a new story about the convicted sex offender and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and Britain's Prince Andrew.


With a warning about the "adult content" of story here is the link.......LINK



And for now that's the way it really is Sunday November 24th, 2019.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

NEXTRUSH UNPLUGGED:  SATURDAY NIGHT VERSION  ITS  CLIVEN BUNDY VERSUS KARL MARX NOT REPUBLICANS VERSUS DEMOCRATS




Music Links:
















There's a lot of America's heartland that's been gutted out by the forces of Big Government and Big Business but some Americans still have that good vision for the farmlands and ranch lands of our country under federal government control.

The Republicans moving the Bureau of Land Management office to Grand Junction, Colorado doesn't change the principle of federal control that strangles the use of the land and put people like Dwight and Steven Hammond in jail.

When Ammon Bundy brought his peaceful protest to Oregon in 2016 he followed in the footsteps of Dr, Martin Luther King whose nonviolent disobeying of the law was designed to get the mainstream moderate politicians of the Joe Biden and Mitt Romney stripe to do what they would otherwise never do.


At Birmingham in 1963 Bull Connor's brutality forced the hand of the Democrat Establishment in Washington led by John F. Kennedy to support civil rights legislation.


In our world today much rage obviously in the spirit of anarchy and Marxism-Leninism manifesting itself with Colombia the latest site of violent street demonstrations as people react to the Big Business, Big Government tightening of the belt.


The Yellow Vests come out to be non-violent in France against the Globalist President Emmanuel Macron and then the black hooded anarchists show up to spread conflict and mayhem.


But Thank God for Cliven Bundy and his stand at Bunkerville in 2014 where the people with guns came because the federal snipers with guns and federal law enforcement with violence towards the Bundys and their supporters came first.


Cliven Bundy's heart was burdened for the Hammond's in Oregon and his son Ammon carried the torch and his friend LaVoy Finicum died so that in the end the Republican Establishment would send up the pardons for Dwight and Stephen Hammond to President Trump at the White House for action ahead of the mid-term elections in 2018.


Plenty of Marxist rage and violence out there aimed at what the Establishment business backed politicians of the D and R brands are doing.


But God Bless the Good Heart of Ammon Bundy which recently got involved in a situation in Idaho where he didn't just react with emotions but found out the truth about the situation and acted with goodness in his heart.


Lets watch Ammon Bundy.....AMMON BUNDY VIDEO 11/14/2019



Kelli Stewart has also stood with the Bundy Family and been maligned.    I remember one federal officer in Portland at the courthouse calling her a "domestic terrorist"

But in this video Kelli found out the truth about this situation.   Then she acknowledged she was wrong and apologized to the local sheriff.


Watch Kelli Stewart.....KELLI STEWART VIDEO 11/14/2019


Thank God for people like this in the world we live in today........



PENCE VISITS IRAQ, US GENERAL WARNS OF IRANIAN ATTACK


Vice-President Mike Pence slipping into Iraq during the "Newsdump Window" at 330 am Eastern US time Saturday morning.


A trip to reassure the Kurds following the recent pullback from the Turkish border in Syria, to visit US troops.     The VP speaking by phone with Iraq's Prime Minister as street protests that are deadly continue.

Those street protests believed to be part of the anti-Iran strategy coming out of Washington trying to reduce Iranian influence in Iraq.

I call it the "Japan 1941 Strategy" which is to say using economic pressure to force a war or peace decision from the other side.

Oh my.

The US General in command in the Middle East,  General Kenneth McKenzie, says today that Iran is probably going to attack.



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



Music Links:



"CAN'T BUY ME LOVE"-THE BEATLES



"RING, RING"-ABBA



"SUNDAY MORNING"-SPANKY AND OUR GANG



"TAKIN IT TO THE STREETS"-THE DOOBIE BROTHERS



And in Colombia we have the latest examples of people "takin it to the streets".



COLOMBIA LATEST:  THIRD DAY OF PROTESTS




A third day of anti-government protests in Colombia today with police using tear gas on demonstrators in the capital city of Bogota.



One center of protest there was a place called "Hippie Park".



Protesters also in the city's Bolivar Plaza, outside of Congress and near the Presidential Palace.


Reuters reports..........LINK


Some reporting on the protests in recent hours from Noticias Caracol television news......VIDEO LINK



SYRIA UPDATES


The Russian Aerospace Forces and Syrian army active launching attacks against jihadists in Idlib province Saturday.

The Russian attack on the headquarters of the Jaysh al-Izza.   More from "Southfront" including embedded video of the attack......



LINK



And then there's the reports of fighting involving Turkish backed proxy forces and the Syrian army and Kurdish units in northeastern Syria.    "Southfront" suggesting that the fighting threatening understandings between Turkey and Russia over northeastern Syria......



LINK




Music Links:






"ACROSS THE ALLEY FROM THE ALAMO"-THE MILLS BROTHERS



"FLY ME TO THE MOON"-FRANK SINATRA



"THAT HAPPY FEELING"-BERT KAEMPFERT



When Pope Francis arrived on the scene he spoke about the notion of factionalism but I guess the question I had was would this concern be balanced.     I see the political factions fighting each other on a pathway to nowhere.


Pharisees and Sadducees spoken of in the Good Book translate into Conservative and Liberal for me.    I a great Pharisee, a great hypocrite, a great religious drunk.  But its not just a problem of the faction I came out of.


So here is the pontiff reported on by "Breitbart" hitting hard on "Fundamentalism" or the "Right" in religion.


Conservative religious people are hypocrites,  I identify with that notion, its my story.


But an honest accounting would have to say all have sinned, all are hypocrites IMHO.


Its like the Pope is on the Left and I know you folks on the Right already have him pegged there and that's fine.


The "Bretibart" story is here:




"BREITBART"-POPE FRANCIS WARNS FUNDAMENTALISM IS A PLAGUE



Violence among those of us who claimed God's name and are hypocrites is linked to intoxication.   I call myself a recovering conservative religious drunk.


I need sobriety and sanity in my life and a thorough working of The 12 Steps if you will.


Talking or writing about it won't cut it in the end.


So moving on I was hanging out in the Protestant subculture in the 1990's when Promise Keepers came along.     Talk about financial and sexual wrongdoing to be sure, but some other baggage in the room like talk about racism.


That really took off and in the Southern Baptist Convention it seems to have gotten very vicious when a congregation would not vote in a left-wing pastor and the leaders of the church demonized opponents of the left-wing political pastoral candidate as:



"Racists"



Read the story from Alan Wall published on "VDARE":



VDARE: WOKE SOUTHERN BAPTISTS BUREAUCRATS MOVE TO CRUSH LOCAL CHURCH REBELS, REBELS FIGHT BACK



Going back to the Promise Keepers days of the Evangelical subculture Coach Bill McCartney, the founder, had a daughter who got pregnant during a relationship with a black man.


So all the anger he felt over that and was ashamed of justified the elevation of something ("Racism") right up there into the Top 10 list when the Good Book doesn't list it in the "Top 10".


Dr. Martin Luther King saw some progress in the struggle against racism in his lifetime but no progress in his struggle with sexual misconduct in his life.


A hint to the religious subculture in this country......



Music Links:











Its a calm Sunday in Hong Kong as pro-democracy forces look to the polls to advance their cause.



Voting in local elections underway for district councils.



While the councils have little power, the results will provide evidence of where public opinion stands after months of protests in the streets punctuated by police violence against the demonstrators and the use of firebombs and other weapons by the protesters.



In Bolivia both houses of Congress approving a new presidential election Saturday but barring former left-wing President Evo Morales from participating.      The bill annuls the results of the October 20th election.


More from Turkey's TRT World....LINK



Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalized tonight.    She experienced chills and a fever.



Hundreds of climate change protesters disrupted the annual Harvard-Yale football game in New Haven, Connecticut today.


They imvaded the field at half-time to demand that the universities cease investment in fossil fuels.


Eventually the protesters left with some being accompanied off the field by police.


The game delayed for a half-hour.



And for now on this Saturday night November 23rd that's the way it really is....



Good Night To All.


Power issues interrupted the ending of tonight's post.












FRANCE YELLOW VESTS WEEK 54:  LOOKING FORWARD TOWARDS A GENERAL STRIKE ON DECEMBER 5TH   11,458 ESTIMATED PROTESTERS










The final rundown last week on Yellow Vests protests was  that 61,957 people participated at 505 locations on the first anniversary weekend designated by the movement, according to the "Yellow Number" Facebook page.


But the Yellow Vests are looking ahead to the next popular flash point against the policies of President Emmanuel Macron, a planned General Strike originating with railroad workers but spreading out to include other workers.     The Yellow Vests endorse the protest plans.


The December 5th strike directed at President Emmanuel Macron's scheme to combine 42 different pension systems in France into one.    Its a plan that's expected to cut pension benefits when its all said and done.

Macron says he is not backing down from his plans but he is trying to project a new image including visiting with workers in Amiens this week and doing media interviews like his Friday appearance with Ruth Elkrief.



Macron said among other things:


"I made mistakes, like not seeing that a transition was needed and that we needed to help the middle and working classes"







The live video feed from "Sputnik" in Paris......



YELLOW VESTS WEEK 54 PARIS


This 48 minute video clip of the Yellow Vests in Paris today.....YELLOW VESTS PARIS WEEK 54 11/23/2019 48 MINUTE VIDEO




The view from Toulouse today of the Yellow Vests march in the city in this nearly one hour video.....



YELLOW VESTS WEEK 54 TOULOUSE



This much shorter video clip of six seconds shows the Yellow Vests in Bordeaux today.....


YELLOW VESTS WEEK 54 BORDEAUX


In the Alsace region of France Yellow Vests in evidence with some 500 people reported by mainstream media protesting at the Stocamine mine over pollution caused by it.....



STOCAMINE PROTEST ALSACE YELLOW VESTS WEEK 54


There was a demonstration in northern France near Lille at Valenciennes with Yellow Vests facing the police.


VALENCIENNES YELLOW VESTS WEEK 54 11/23/2019




Major media coverage and attention from politicians today focused on nationwide protests against the killing of women in France with promises of action from politicians and emotional and dramatic displays at the various rallies attended it is reported by tens of thousands across France.


And for now that's the story of the Yellow Vests for Week 54.


No estimates of numbers yet or number of protest sites but I will update when that becomes available.


(UPDATE:   'YELLOW NUMBER' FACEBOOK PUBLISHED A MINIMUM ESTIMATE OF 11,458 YELLOW VESTS PROTESTERS FOR WEEK 54)






Friday, November 22, 2019

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT FRIDAY 11/22/2019  NEWSDUMP FRIDAY




(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH 1230 SATURDAY EASTERN US TIME)



A CURFEW IMPOSED IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF COLOMBIA BOGOTA AS ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS SWEPT THE CITY ON FRIDAY.


SOME FOUR THOUSAND MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY DEPLOYED IN BOGOTA TONIGHT.


POLICE USING TEAR GAS AMID REPORTS OF SPORADIC LOOTING IN THE CITY.   HERE IS VIDEO OF DISORDERS IN RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS AREAS OF BOGOTA.........VIDEO LINK


WORD LATE TONIGHT OF THREE COLOMBIAN POLICE OFFICERS BEING KILLED IN AN EXPLOSION AT A POLICE STATION IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY KNOWN FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING.


10 OTHERS REPORTED INJURED IN THE CAR BOMB EXPLOSION IN SANTANDER DE QUILICHAO.  MORE FROM 'FRANCE 24'.....LINK


PROTESTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON THURSDAY WITH THREE DEATHS NOW REPORTED IN THOSE DEMONSTRATIONS.


PRESIDENT IVAN DUQUE SPOKE FRIDAY CALLING FOR A 'NATIONAL CONVERSATION' ON SOCIAL POLICY IN THE COUNTRY.


TONIGHT SOME PROTESTERS ON THE STREETS DEFYING THE CURFEW AT LOCATIONS LIKE THE HOME OF THE PRESIDENT.


REPORTING TONIGHT FROM RUSSIA'S 'SPUTNIK NEWS'.........LINK


STEVEN LOOKNER OF  'AGENDA FREE TV' POSTING A VIDEO REPORT TONIGHT ON THE SITUATION IN COLOMBIA......LINK




"A perfect storm of screw ups"


That's Attorney General William Barr's assessment of the events surrounding the death of convicted sex offender and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein at the federal Manhattan Detention Center on August 10th.


Barr saying he believes that Epstein killed himself that day.


Barr was interviewed by the Associated Press.



Prince Andrew's private secretary Amanda Thirsk moving to a new position.   She organized the controversial interview with the BBC where the Duke of York discussed his relationship with Epstein.


More from the BBC......LINK


The BBC also saying it will broadcast an interview with the woman who said she was forced to have sex three times with Prince Andrew, Virginia Guiffre.   That's scheduled for Monday, December 2nd.


The leaking is underway ahead of the Justice Department Inspector General's report coming out December 9th on the process that led to the investigation of President Trump's campaign for alleged Russian collusion.



There's word that an FBI employee "may have altered" a document involved in the case.  


The "Washington Post" is leaking out this news saying that the Horowitz report found that the surveillance application for Trump associate Carter Page had a "proper legal and factual basis"....LINK



PRESIDENT TRUMP BRINGING TOGETHER THE E-CIGARETTE INDUSTRY AND ANTI-VAPING FORCES AT THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY.


THE PRESIDENT LOOKING FOR MIDDLE GROUND ON THE ISSUE NOTING THAT A TOTAL BAN ON VAPING PRODUCTS WOULD LEAD TO AN UNDERGROUND MARKET AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PRODUCTS BEING SOLD.


MR. TRUMP SAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL RAISE THE AGE LIMIT FOR VAPING TO 21.




New testing of Russia's nuclear powered cruise missile  is set to be held before the end of this year year.   That word from a military source quoted by the Tass News Agency today.


Yesterday Russian President Vladimir Putin presented awards to the families of those killed in an August 8th accident during a previous test of the hypersonic missile.


The Tass News Agency story....LINK


The BBC has also published a more lengthy story......LINK


Russian aircraft and Syrian helicopters launched more than 40 airstrikes Thursday against jihadist opposition forces in northwestern Syria's Idlib province.    The airstrikes followed a jihadist rocket attack on the Syrian government controlled city of Aleppo that killed 37 people.


"Southfront" has more on this story.....LINK



Russia's Foreign Ministry says the video alleging a Russian attempt to recruit a Serbian intelligence official as a spy is a provocation.    The video posted by a Bulgarian journalist ahead of the planned visit to Moscow by Serbia's president.


President Aleksandar Vucic says his country wants good relations with Russia and his visit will not be cancelled because of the video.


More from Tass......LINK



You've may have had it up to here with talk about foreign meddling in elections but here's another story about it that doesn't mention Russia.


This time China is being cited for trying to use disinformation to influence the January election on Taiwan.   US diplomat Brent Christensen agreeing with the assessment of Taiwan's government that China is trying to influence the outcome of the election.


Christensen says:


"We believe malign actors are using disinformation campaigns to make people lose faith in democratic institutions"


More on this from Hong Kong's "South China Morning Post"......LINK



PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS HE MAY VETO A BILL THAT'S PASSED CONGRESS TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE DEMOCRACY PROTESTERS IN HONG KONG.


TRUMP CITING THE NEED FOR A TRADE DEAL WITH CHINA.



THE PRESIDENT SAYING:



"We need to stand with Hong Kong, but I'm also standing with President Xi, he's a friend of mine"




The latest political polling for 2020 showing a Trump lead over almost all Democrats.


At least that's the finding of the Emerson poll that has President Trump over former Vice-President Joe Biden 51-49 percent.    He also leads Senator Elizabeth Warren 51-49 and South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg 52-48.


Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders given a slight edge 50-49 percent over the President.


The poll was conducted from Sunday through Wednesday.



The interim government in Bolivia says former President Evo Morales is fomenting the latest  protests in the country,  accusing him of terrorism and sedition.



In Iraq Friday three dead in Baghdad as security forces used live ammunition and tear gas on demonstrators with two said to have been killed by bullets and another by a direct hit from a tear gas canister.


In the southern port city of Basra the security forces breaking up the blockade of docks by demonstrators.


Protesters demanding dramatic reforms to the country's political system.



"We have now liberated my Twitter account"


The former National Security Adviser John Bolton said his account was cut off by the White House for more than six weeks.


But from the White House a senior official speaking anonymously said:


"The White House did not block Mr. Bolton from accessing his personal Twitter account, and wouldn't have the technical means to do so"





Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he's going nowhere following Thursday's indictment of him in three corruption cases.    He says the prosecutors are biased against him and that the indictment decision amounts to an 'attempted coup'.


The opposition Blue and White Party released video of Netanyahu calling on former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign in the face of criminal charges.    It is also trying to convince members of Israel's parliament to support a Blue and White government in the 19 days still left following Israel's second election this year to form a new government.




France's leading opposition politician Marine Le Pen of the National Rally is postponing a trip to France's Caribbean territories next month.    Le Pen's cancellation linked to a planned strike by transportation workers protesting President Emmanuel Macron's plans to cut pension benefits in the name of "pension reform".





And the struggle for political power in Germany within the ruling party.


The woman who now leads the Christian Democratic Union and is poised to replace Chancellor Angela Merkel, Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer,  challenging the delegates at a party conference in Leipzig.


She told them to back her or:



"end it here and now"



There was a standing ovation from the crowd but the political facts on the ground are very troubling with loss of support in three state elections this year and opinion polling showing the CDU at its lowest levels of support ever in the 26-28 percent range.


More on the story from "The Guardian" in the UK.......LINK



And for now that's the way it really is Newsdump Friday November 22nd, 2019.