NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT FRIDAY 5/22/2020 NEWSDUMP FRIDAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND

(SPORADIC POSTING WITH POSTING CONTINUING PAST MIDNIGHT INTO SATURDAY)

BIG BEN MIDNIGHT CHIMES

The Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, New Jersey open for business today in spite of Governor Phil Murphy's "stay at home" coronavirus order shutting gyms down....CBS 3 PHILADELPHIA VIDEO......

Car-rental company Hertz filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 in Delaware today.     That will allow the company to operate.   Hertz hit hard by the "stay-at-home" orders that shut down the nation's economy....BNN BLOOMBERG STORY

Economic advisers to the President see better economic news later this year with expectations for strong third quarter growth.      Both Kevin Hassett and Larry Kudlow expect it to be the biggest quarter of growth in American history........NEW YORK POST STORY

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE A MAJOR ECONOMIC DOWNTURN IN 2002,  ARGENTINA IS IN DEFAULT ON A LOAN TONIGHT.    THE COUNTRY UNABLE TO PAY SOME 500 MILLION DOLLARS IN INTEREST.     OFFICIALS BELIEVE THEY CAN CUT A DEAL TO RESTRUCTURE THE DEBT BEFORE THE ECONOMY IS IMPACTED, BUT NO TALKS WITH INTERNATIONAL CREDITORS ARE SET UNTIL JUNE 2ND.........REUTERS, AFP STORIES PUBLISHED BY DEUTSCHE WELLE

Iran's top military commander says his country has intelligence on US military movements in the Persian Gulf region and far beyond and will respond to any move that endangers Iranian interests anywhere in the world.

Major General Mohammad Baqeri's comments come following word that the US is considering action against as many as five Iranian tankers carrying gasoline to Venezuela.......PRESS TV IRAN STORY

A SUCCESSFUL TEST OF A LASER WEAPON BY THE UNITED STATES THAT IS SAID TO BE ABLE TO DESTROY AN AIRCRAFT IN MID-FLIGHT.     WORD OF THE TEST TODAY FROM THE US PACIFIC FLEET.........CNN STORY (WITH EMBEDDED VIDEO)

THE US IS CONSIDERING A NUCLEAR WEAPONS TEST FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1992.   THE REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE WASHINGTON POST.    RUSSIA AND CHINA SEEN AS THREATS THAT WOULD REQUIRE SUCH A TEST.......TASS NEWS AGENCY

FBI DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER WRAY ORDERING AN INTERNAL REVIEW OF HOW THE AGENCY HANDLED THE CASE INVOLVING FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER GENERAL MICHAEL FLYNN.......TALKING POINTS MEMO

The US adding 33 Chinese companies-institutions to an economic "blacklist" for involvement in violations of human rights and surveillance activities.....

A new Hong Kong security law has been proposed at the National People's Congress in China.    The law at the central level of Chinese government on "treason, secession, sedition and subversion" bypasses any consideration in Hong Kong's legislature.    It is seen as a violation of promises made when the United Kingdom gave up control of Hong Kong to China in 1997........BBC NEWS STORY

At least 97 dead in the Friday afternoon crash of a Pakistan International Airlines plane that ploughed into buildings in a residential neighborhood of Karachi.    That count published Saturday in Pakistan by the "Doon" newspaper.   One eyewitness described what happened when a body landed on his car......HINDUSTAN TIMES INDIA STORY

The mainstream media reporting in recent hours on an eyebrow raising comment made by Democrat Presidential candidate Joe Biden that any black person considering voting for President Trump:

"ain't black"

Biden now characterizing his comment as "cavalier"......

BBC NEWS STORY JOE BIDEN

A LAWYER REPRESENTING TARA READE, WHO SAYS SHE WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY JOE BIDEN WHEN HE WAS A US SENATOR IN 1993,  IS DROPPING HER AS  A CLIENT.

BUT DOUGLAS WIGDOR SAYS HIS DEPARTURE IS NOT A REFLECTION ON THE ACCURACY OF HER ALLEGATION.   WIGDOR SAYS HE BELIEVES READE AND BLASTED THE 'DOUBLE STANDARD' IN MEDIA REPORTING ABOUT HER STORY.......THE GUARDIAN UK NEWS STORY

The left-wing National Lawyers Guild settling a lawsuit brought by an Israeli organization under New York's "human rights" law.     The NLG had refused an ad for the Israeli group based in the "West Bank".      The New York State law prohibits any boycotting of Israel......ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS

(WARNING:  DISTURBING LANGUAGE)

A VIDEO RELEASED BY A BRAZILIAN COURT SHOWING PRESIDENT JAIR BOLSONARO TALKING ABOUT HIS FAMILY GETTING 'SCREWED' BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.......REUTERS STORY PUBLISHED BY GLOBAL NEWS CANADA

"Today I'm identifying houses of worship churches, synagogues and mosques as essential places that provide essential services.     Some governors have deemed the liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential but have left out churches and other houses of worship"

President Trump coming out on a Friday afternoon to call on the nations governors to allow houses of worship to reopen immediately and saying that in his words he "will override them" if they do not.......CNBC VIDEO

THE WARDEN OF A FEDERAL PRISON IN OAKDALE, LOUISIANA WHERE 40 STAFF MEMBERS AND 227 INMATES TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 WITH EIGHT INMATES DYING HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM HIS JOB.

ROD MYERS GOING AFTER THE UNION REPRESENTING WORKERS AT THE PRISON ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE THAT ENDANGERED STAFF AND INMATES.....KALB-TV ALEXANDRIA LOUISIANA REPORT

The BBC News coverage of the coronavirus story continues on its daily blog......BBC NEWS CORONAVIRUS BLOG 5/22/2020

In other news.......

The fiance of the murder Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi reacting to news that Khashoggi's son who lives in Saudi Arabia is forgiving the killers in what many believe was an act of murder ordered by the Saudi state at its highest levels.

Hatice Cengiz says that 'no one has a right to pardon his killers".....BBC NEWS STORY

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaking with the head of Libya's Government of National Accord Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj today.   State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus says that Pompeo expressed his opposition to weapons and ammunition entering the country and the need for an end to fighting and negotiations.    Pompeo's conversation with the GNA leader similar to that of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg last weekend.

The GNA fighting the opposition Libyan National Army for control of the country......STATE DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE

Former Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell winning a delay in her questioning in a civil lawsuit alleging sexual battery when she was 16 years old.    The judge ruling her questioning can be delayed pending other legal matters surrounding Maxwell.......NEW YORK POST STORY

That's the way it really is Friday May 22nd, Newsdump Friday entering the Memorial Day Weekend.........

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT THURSDAY 5/21/2020 NEWSDUMP HOLIDAY WEEKEND

(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN AVAILABLE THROUGH LATE THURSDAY)

THE OWNERS OF THE ATILIS GYM IN BELLMAWR, NEW JERSEY INTEND TO RE-OPEN TOMORROW AFTER TODAY'S NEW JERSEY STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT NOTICE AT THE DOOR OF THE GYM CLOSING IT DOWN.

THE GYM OPERATED THREE DAYS THIS WEEK AGAINST THE DE FACTO MARTIAL LAW LOCKDOWN ORDERS OF DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY.   ONE OF THE OWNERS, IAN SMITH, SAID THE NOTICE WAS A 'SCARE TACTIC' AND A 'BUMP IN THE ROAD'.....PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER NEWS STORY

The latest twist in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia is the arrest of the man who made a video of the killing used as evidence to arrest the first two suspects.

William "Rodie" Bryan Jr. is charged with felony murder and attempt to commit false imprisonment in connection with the February shooting of Arbery.     Bryan had told police he was a bystander........REUTERS NEWS STORY PUBLISHED BY FRANCE 24

ACTRESS LORI LOUGHLIN AND HER HUSBAND MOSSIMO GIANNULLI SET TO PLEAD GUILTY IN THE FEDERAL COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CASE ALLEGING A SCAM TOMORROW.    THAT WORD FROM THE US ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN MASSACHUSETTS.    SHE WILL SERVE TWO MONTHS IN PRISON AND HE WILL SERVE FIVE MONTHS, IT IS REPORTED.   ALSO THEY WILL PAY LARGE FINES AND DO 'COMMUNITY SERVICE'......CNN STORY

THE FBI SAYS THAT AN ATTACK THIS MORNING AT THE CORPUS CHRISTI NAVAL AIR STATION IN TEXAS WAS 'TERRORISM RELATED'.

A SECURITY FORCE MEMBER WOUNDED AND THE ATTACKER KILLED.    

THE ATTACKER IDENTIFIED AS ADAM ALSAHLI OF CORPUS CHRISTI........NBC NEWS STORY

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says that US military activity in the Caribbean Sea appears to be an attempt to blockade Venezuela.

"There has not been such a projection of forces in the region for a long time"

she said adding that the training underway by forces of the US Southern Command appears to be designed more for boarding large ships that intercepting small drug running boats.....TASS NEWS STORY 

The US has stated that increased military activity in the region is to combat drug trafficking but the US has also accused Venezuela's ruler Nicolas Maduro and other key officials of being drug traffickers and placed bounties on them totaling millions of dollars.

Venezuela's Maduro regime says its military will accompany Iranian tankers bringing gasoline to the country when they approach its coast.    The US is reported to be considering action to stop the shipments......BBC NEWS

The US Senate passing legislation to restrict the selling of foreign stocks in the United States in a move that's seen as a move against some Chinese companies.......BBC STORY

PRESIDENT TRUMP ANNOUNCING THAT THE US IS WITHDRAWING FROM THE "OPEN SKIES TREATY" ON SURVEILLANCE FLIGHTS OVER MEMBER NATIONS.......

NEGATIVE REACTION COMING IN FROM RUSSIA WITH DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ALEXANDER GRUSHKO SAYING THE MOVE WILL WORSEN "MILITARY SECURITY" AND "STRATEGIC SECURITY" IN EUROPE.....TASS NEWS AGENCY

"I don't know what it is because nobody knows yet"

President Trump speaking out at the White House about China's reported plans to impose a  new security law in Hong Kong.    Trump saying that:

"if it happens, we'll address that issue very strongly"

BBC NEWS STORY..........BNN BLOOMBERG STORY

The US State Department approving a potential sale of torpedoes to Taiwan.    The 18 advanced technology heavy weight weapons are valued at 180 million dollars.....THE CHINA POST STORY

There are many military forces sharing some of the same space in northeastern Syria nowadays and they often block each others movements in that space.    Yesterday Syrian troops set up a checkpoint that forces a US military convoy to turn back.......SOUTHFRONT STORY

THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) ISSUING NEW GUIDELINES FOR THE REOPENING OF SCHOOLS IN THE UNTIED STATES.  THIS POSTER REPOSTED BY "HEALTH FREEDOM IDAHO"  FACEBOOK......FACEBOOK POST CDC REOPENING SCHOOLS GUIDELINES

President Trump announcing that flags on federal buildings will fly at half-staff beginning tomorrow for three days in honor of coronavirus victims and then on Monday Memorial Day in honor of fallen members of the military.......

The BBC News blog reports the coronavirus story from around the world today........BBC NEWS CORONAVIRUS BLOG 5/21/2020

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT WEDNESDAY 5/20/2020

(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY)

The New Jersey State Police crackdown continuing at the Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, Camden County with a third day of citation for the gym but today with the added citation of   "creating a public nuisance".      State authorities considering their next moves to shut down the gym operating in violation of the order of Democrat Governor Phil Murphy.

Supporters have gathered at the gym in protest leading to criticism from the Director of the Camden County Board of Freeholders,   Louis Cappelli Jr.

Protesters expressing their outrage yesterday over the arrest of a man who was working out at the gym.......YOU TUBE VIDEO

The latest rule from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo allows religious services in the state, but only if 10 or fewer people are participating.....ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS

FLOODING IN AND AROUND MIDLAND MICHIGAN IN THE LAST 24 HOURS FOLLOWING THE BREACHING OF TWO DAMS.     SOME 11-THOUSAND PEOPLE ORDERED TO EVCACUTATE.....ABC 12 FLINT MICHIGAN

AN EMERGENCY APPEAL TO A HIGHER COURT FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP'S FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER MICHAEL FLYNN.    US DISTRICT JUDGE EMMET SULLIVAN RESISTING THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR DISMISSAL OF CHARGES AGAINST FLYNN WHO WAS CONVICTED IN CONNECTION WITH 'RUSSIAN COLLUSION' INVESTIGATION INTO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

THE APPEAL FILED WITH THE US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA......

US AUTHORITIES ARRESTING A FORMER GREEN BERET AND HIS SON TODAY.   THEY WERE WANTED BY JAPAN FOR HELPING THE EX-RENAULT NISSAN CEO CARLOS GHOSN ESCAPE LAST DECEMBER........BBC NEWS STORY

Iraqi authorities announcing tonight that a prominent ISIS commander has been arrested.     The Iraqi National Intelligence Service says that Abdul al-Nasir Qurdash was a candidate for the leadership of ISIS.......SOUTHFRONT STORY

Sanctions imposed on eight Iranian officials today by the United States.    Among those on the list Iran's Interior Minister and the  top Iranian law enforcement officer......PRESS TV IRAN STORY

A warning from the US Navy to mariners in the Persian Gulf to stay away from its ships.     A 100 meter limit is set in the warning with any ships getting closer being interpreted as a "threat".    The Navy saying the limit does not represent a change in the rules of engagement.   Some tense encounters in the Persian Gulf between US and Iranian military ships in recent weeks....ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS STORY

Russia expressing confidence about completion of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline to Germany.    That message from Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.....RUPTLY YOU TUBE ENGLISH NARRATION OF RUSSIAN VIDEO IN PRINT AT LINK

A correction from Bloomberg News about a story regarding the coronavirus in Russia........TASS NEWS AGENCY

From its perspective BBC News presents the coronavirus story worldwide today on its blog....BBC NEWS CORONAVIRUS BLOG 5/20/2020

For now in brief that's the way it really is Wednesday May 20th, 2020.......

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT TUESDAY 5/19/2020 

(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH LATE TUESDAY)

A federal judge in Oregon today denied a request for an emergency injunction from nine businesses and a non-profit organization seeking relief from the defacto martial law conditions in the state.

US District Judge Michael McShane  who was appointed by President Barack Obama finding that the plantiffs were unlikely to succeed in their case........OREGONLIVE STORY

In Clark County, Washington  last night more than 100 people in attendance at the People Rights meeting       Clark County is a suburb of  Portland, Oregon.  An online post from libertarian activist Kelli Stewart notes that the meeting carries on the work of rancher LaVoy Finicum who was killed in an FBI led operation during 2016's Oregon Standoff protest.....FACEBOOK POST

The Oregon Supreme Court put a hold on a local judge's order that nullified Governor Kate Brown's "Stay Home Save Lives" orders.      The higher court making its move late Monday....OREGON LIVE STORY

The US Justice Department has sent a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom supporting the reopening of churches with social distancing guidelines under his current "second phase" of "reopening" in the state.     

The head of the Civil Rights Division,  Eric S. Dreiband, says that allowing secular business to reopen with social distancing requirements but not churches is discriminatory......ASSOCIATED PRESS STORY

Eight killed and five wounded tonight in an attack on a mosque in central Afghanistan.    Afghanistan's Interior Ministry blaming the Taliban for the attack.......REUTERS NEWS STORY PUBLISHED BY STRAITS TIMES-SINGAPORE

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would like to avoid appearing in court on the first day of his impending trial on corruption charges......ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS STORY

The Palestinian Authority backing away from agreements signed with Israel and the United States in light of the intentions of Prime Minister Netanyahu to pursue a policy of annexation of Judean and Samarian territory in the "West Bank"........HAARETZ NEWS STORY

French political maneuvers today with seven National Assembly members defecting from President Emmanuel Macron's  "La Repubique En Marche" (LaREM)  to form their own party.   This leaves his party one short of a majority in the 577 member legislature but he has smaller parties as his allies.   The new faction to focus on "green" issues and "social inequality".....BBC NEWS STORY

A Russian military helicopter on a training mission crashed north of Moscow tonight killing all crew members......TASS NEWS STORY

In Nevada Laughlin's Colorado Belle hotel and casino extending layoffs for 400 employees and will remain closed even if the state allows it to reopen because it will be under restrictions that do not allow it to fully operate......ASSOCIATED PRESS STORY

The BBC News coronavirus blog reports developments from the around the world today regarding the coronavirus.......BBC NEWS CORONAVIRUS BLOG 5/19/2020

In other news......

The head of human spaceflight at NASA leaving suddenly days before a launch of two astronauts into space.    Doug Loverro leaving on Monday.......THE GUARDIAN STORY

And that's a brief look at the way it really is Tuesday May 19th, 2020......

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT MONDAY 5/18/2020

(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH MONDAY EVENING WITH SERVICE ENDING AT 930 PM EASTERN US TIME)

The NYPD raided a Jewish religious school in Brooklyn at noontime today.    The Yeshiva operating in violation of de facto martial law restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus.     Some 100 children were attending the school at the time of the raid according to an NYPD estimate.      Nearly 60 students inside according to  a CBS 2 news report.  Informants telling the police about the school....ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS STORY......CBS 2 NEW YORK VIDEO

An appeal to Oregon's Supreme Court following a ruling by a country judge today nullifying Democrat Governor Kate Brown's "Stay Home Save Lives" orders.

Baker County Circuit Judge Matthew B. Shirtcliff ruled that her orders exceeded a 28-day limit and he also granted a preliminary injunction to 10 churches that sued Governor Brown over the denial of their First Amendment right to exercise religion.....OREGON LIVE NEWS STORY

The FBI now revealing that the Saudi Air Force officer involved in last December's terrorist attack at the Pensacola Naval Air Station worked with Al Qaeda in planning it.     Three killed and eight wounded in the attack......BBC NEWS STORY

Commentary from Colonel Pat Lang regarding the allegations against Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the firing of the State Department's Inspector General.......SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS POST

A LOUD EXPLOSION REPORTED EARLY TUESDAY MORNING NEAR THE US EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD WITH A MISSILE HIT REPORTED......AFP NEWS REPORT PUBLISHED BY AL ARABIYA SAUDI ARABIA

US Attorney General William Barr said today that former President Barack Obama and former Vice-President Joe Biden are not under criminal investigation in connection with the origins of the "Russian Collusion" probe against President Trump.

But Barr did say:

"Our concern over potential criminality is focused on others"

BUSINESS INSIDER STORY......ABC NEWS VIDEO LINK

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by phone today.   The coronavirus, Libya and Syria among the issues discussed according to various media reports......TASS NEWS AGENCY......TRT WORLD TURKISH NEWS REPORT......SANA SYRIAN NEWS REPORT

Pro-democracy members of the Hong Kong parliament dragged out today.   The incident happened during debate on legislation that make disrespect for the Chinese national anthem a crime.....BBC NEWS STORY

An Israeli cyber attack on an Iranian port.   That's the story being reported by the Washington Post.    The attack apparent retaliation for an Iranian cyber attack on Israeli water distribution systems....ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS STORY

Russia sending three batches of fabric to Iran this month.    The fabric is humanitarian aid for use in making face masks......TASS NEWS REPORT

The coronavirus story around the world today as reported on the BBC News blog......BBC NEWS CORONAVIRUS BLOG

In other news.......

Another oil price collapse may occur as early as tomorrow.    At least that's what one expert is telling Russia's Tass News Agency.......LINK

Ken Osmond who played the role of "Eddie Haskell" in the classic "Leave It To Beaver" television series is dead at the age of 76....CNN REPORT WITH VIDEO

And that's the way it really is Monday May 18th, 2020.......

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT SUNDAY 5/17/2020

"We won't be staying in our cars and you don't have to wear a mask.   There may be a lot of people giving hugs and lots of hand shaking going on.   Doing our part to strengthen the herd immunity against Covid-19"

Libertarian activist Ammon Bundy announcing a worship service "Church In The Park" at 5 pm local time  (7 pm Eastern US time)  today in Meridian, Idaho.     The service taking place in the amphitheater at Julius Kleiner Park, 1900 North Records Avenue.

Video of the service is at this link.......FREEDOM TABERNACLE WORSHIP SERVICE 5/17/2020 MERIDIAN IDAHO

AMMON BUNDY FACEBOOK POST

MEANWHILE THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT IS INVESTIGATING AFTER A COMPLAINT FROM HIKERS ABOUT RYAN BUNDY BUILDING IRRIGATION INFRASTRUCTURE ON LAND TRADITIONALLY USED BY RANCHER CLIVEN BUNDY BUT CLAIMED AS FEDERAL LAND NOW DESIGNATED AS THE GOLD BUTTE NATIONAL MONUMENT.......

THE HIKERS REPORTED THE SITUATION TO THE BLM IN MID-APRIL.   RYAN BUNDY SAYS HE IS UNAWARE OF ANY BLM INVESTIGATION IN HIS IRRIGATION WORK.....E AND E NEWS STORY

ALSO IN THE LINKED STORY THE US NINTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS NEW DATE TO HEAR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S APPEAL OF THE DISMISSAL OF CHARGES AGAINST CLIVEN BUNDY AND OTHERS  FOR GROSS PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT.

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S APPEAL IN CONNECTION WITH THE APRIL 2014 BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF SET FOR A HEARING MAY 29TH IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Thousands protesting at San Diego's Embarcadero Saturday evening calling for an end to the house arrest order of California's Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom......ABC 10 SAN DIEGO VIDEO

Protest in Northern California Saturday with demonstrators calling for the Mayor of Livermore to reopen the city.....KPIX SAN FRANCISCO VIDEO

In Europe police cracking down on reopen protesters this weekend like at this demonstration in Switzerland....POLICE CRACKDOWN ON SWISS PROTEST

ONE MILITARY OFFICER IS DEAD, ANOTHER INJURED IN THE CRASH OF A CANADIAN FORCES  JET IN KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA.     THE PLANE PART OF THE SNOWBIRDS ACROBATIC TEAM TOURING THE COUNTRY TO BOOST MORALE DURING THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN COUNTRY.....CBC NEWS STORY

11 FIREFIGHTERS BURNED IN AN EXPLOSION AS THEY FOUGHT A FIRE IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES AT A HASH OIL FACTORY SATURDAY EVENING.   THREE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS IN CRITICAL CONDITION....ABC 7 LOS ANGELES NEWS STORY

The US Space Command launching a remote controlled plane into orbit from Florida today.   Its the sixth flight for the solar powered X-37B craft with launch delayed a day due to bad weather......NEW YORK POST STORY

"The people wanted unity"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking in parliament today as a new government took office in Israel with Netanyahu remaining in place but Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz being both Defense Minister Alternate Prime Minister set to take office in 18 months.

Another former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff from Blue and White,  Gabi Ashkenazi, will be Foreign Minister.

The government of "unity" expanded with 36 cabinet ministers and 16 deputy ministers many of them more moderate Blue and White members, even the Labor Party has a cabinet post.

The Opposition Leader Designate Yair Lapid of the secularist Yesh Atid Party said in part:

"You are today establishing the biggest government in history, are you calling it an emergency government?   At present, there are less than 50 people on ventilators because of the coronavirus." 

A vote to approve the new government 73-46 in Israel's 120 seat parliament.

ASSOCIATED PRESS STORY PUBLISHED BY YNET ISRAEL

CHINA'S AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL FOUND DEAD IN HIS HOME IN A TEL AVIV SUBURB......ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS....58 YEAR OLD DU WEI SAID TO HAVE SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK...YNET NEWS STORY....A WEBSITE THAT PUBLISHES OPPOSITION TO US FOREIGN POLICY PRESENTED A TIMELINE OF EVENTS LEADING TO DU WEI'S DEATH....MOON OF ALABAMA POST

An British flagged tanker repulsed a pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden off the southern coast of Yemen today.......AL JAZEERA NEWS STORY

IN ANTICPATION OF US MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRANIAN TANKERS CARRYING GASOLINE TO VENEZUELA, IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER JAVAD HAS SENT A WARNING LETTER TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES.   

ZARIF SAYS THE US HAS MADE ILLEGAL, DANGEROUS AND PROVOCATIVE THREATS REGARDING FUEL SHIPMENTS TO VENEZUELA AND THAT IRAN HAS THE RIGHT TO TAKE APPROPRIATE AND NECESSARY MEASURES TO COUNTER THE THREATS....OFFICIAL IRANIAN NEWS AGENCY IRNA

A power sharing deal signed today in Afghanistan between President Ashraf Ghani and rival Abdullah Abdullah.    Both men claimed victory after the last presidential election.    Abdullah will lead peace talks with the Taliban under the agreement......AFP NEWS STORY

A deal was reportedly cut between the United States and Iran to install a new government in Iraq recently.    The "Middle East Eye" reports that Iran was given some backdoor sanctions relief in exchange for Shia Muslim factions in Iraq supporting the new government of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi......MIDDLE EAST EYE STORY

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg spoke with the leader of Libya's Government of National Accord this weekend.    Stoltenberg told GNA Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj that Libya's problems could only be solved by negotiations involving the UN and all parties.    He also said that NATO was willing to build up security and defense institutions in the country.

The UN recognized Government of National Accord is fighting the forces of the eastern Libya based Libyan National Army of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.....ANADOLU TURKISH NEWS AGENCY REPORT

The coronavirus story around the world today as reported by BBC News on its daily blog.......BBC NEWS CORONAVIRUS BLOG 5/17/2020

In other news.......

THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER IS NOW TRACKING TROPICAL STORM ARTHUR OFF THE SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF THE UNITED STATES WITH A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST...

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS 45 MILES PER HOUR AS OF 11 PM SUNDAY NIGHT,   THE STORM EXPECTED TO MOVE CLOSE TO ON SLIGHTLY ON THE EAST COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA, THEN MOVE OUT TO SEA.......

An Egyptian newspaper editor arrested outside a prison this morning as she interviewed the mother of a jailed activist.    Lina Attalah being held incommunicado at a police station to be questioned tomorrow by prosecutors....THE INDEPENDENT UK NEWS STORY

And that's the way it really is Sunday May 17th, 2020......

NEXTRUSH UNPLUGGED:  WEEKEND VERSION DC 19 THE MASK IS NOT FREEDOM,  MILITARIZED VACCINE,  PROTESTS TODAY

BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI THEME

"Wear your mouth cover, Its a sign of your surrender"

Gavin Seim For Liberty Facebook Post 5/12/2020-LINK

"Under instructions to enforce social distancing, maintain proper hygiene and have children grade four and up wear face masks,  it was up to municipalities to decide when each school in its jurisdiction was full prepared to open, Netanyahu said."-REUTERS NEWS STORY

In Israel as children are allowed to go back to school at all grade levels starting Sunday the details of restrictions remind us that masks prevent complete breathing and cut off air from people of all ages.   Small children will not be required to wear masks in Israel which should be helpful to their growing bodies.

My "mask experience" is one of not being able to move as fast as I normally do with limited oxygen to sustain me......

But there's a bigger question in a world where Republicans and Democrats both believe in rules that involve using masks regardless of their differences over openings and closings of various businesses.


HERE IN YORK, PA PEOPLE ARE GETTING FED UP WITH MASKS IN INCREASING NUMBERS AND NOT WEARING THE THINGS IN STORES.....

Can one really call a world where business gets to open with rules and restrictions and everyone supposed to mask up inside of them free?

Commandant Cuomo giving the prisoners a break along with the Connecticut and New Jersey commandants for the Memorial Day weekend.    You will be allowed to go to the beaches but concessions will be closed.   No group contact activities will be allowed.   Masks must be worn in proximity to others.     But New York City beaches are not ready according to Commandant Bill DeBlasio.

CBS NEW YORK STORY

NEWSDUMP UPDATE:  PRESIDENT TRUMP ROLLS OUT "OPERATION WARP SPEED" WITH MILITARY TO HELP DISTRIBUTE POTENTIAL VACCINE

And what about this "warp speed" plan to get a vaccine for us all to get for Covid-19 that President Trump spoke of yesterday??????

OPERATION WARP SPEED ANNOUNCEMENT WHITE HOUSE 5/15/2020

John Lamb offered up a post on Facebook yesterday.......

FACEBOOK POST "IF YOU TRUST THE GOVERNMENT...."

There are people in this country including Michael Savage who is pretty reasonable who say....

NO

to receiving a Covid-19 vaccine and last night he said the vaccine

WILL BE MANDATORY

in order for anyone to be able to do anything.......

NEWSDUMP UPDATE:  US WILL RESTORE PARTIAL FUNDING TO WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

The story out Friday night on Fox News from Tucker Carlson is that President Trump is about to restore some funding to the WHO, a month after the President announced a suspension to investigate its response to the coronavirus......

TRUMP SET TO RESTORE PARTIAL FUNDING TO WHO.....

Music Links:

'HOLD YOUR HEAD UP"-ARGENT

"GOD GAVE ROCK N ROLL TO YOU"-ARGENT

"GOD GAVE ROCK N ROLL TO YOU"-PETRA

"TAKE A STAND"-GLAD




A song from the world of Contemporary Christian Music back in the day from a group called Glad with most of the guys in that group coming out of West Chester University here in Pennsylvania like Ed Nalle and another guy in the group went to Temple University down in Philadelphia, the name Bob Kauflin I do believe.



A video posted this morning around 845 am Eastern US time,   245 pm Berlin time as protesters were gathering.......



LIVE IN BERLIN CORONA PROTEST 16 05 2020

ANTI-HOUSE ARREST PROTEST IN STUTTGART, GERMANY

There a live feed of video from the protest in Stuttgart today......

STUTTGART PROTEST LIVE VIDEO

BREAKING NEWS:   POLICE AND PRO FREEDOM PROTESTERS CLASH IN BERLIN ARRESTS MADE

BERLIN PROTEST CLASHES 5/16/2020

The police swarming in on the protest rally in Berlin right now as of 440 pm local time, 1040 am Eastern time.....

BERLIN ANTI-LOCKDOWN PROTEST LIVE VIDEO FEED

MUNICH PROTEST VIDEO

Here is a video clip of protesters obeying the "social distancing" edict gathering on a field in Munich for a protest rally......

MUNICH PROTEST VIDEO 5/16/2020

BACK HERE IN THE USA AN UPDATE ON THE "BUNDY NEWS AND FREEDOM WATCHERS' FACEBOOK AS GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE OF WASHINGTON IS WALKING BACK THE NOTION OF MANDATORY LOGGING OF NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO USE RESTAURANTS IN THE STATE,   ITS CONSIDERED A LITTLE GROUND GAINED FOR FREEDOM THERE......

FACEBOOK POST WASHINGTON STATE RESTAURANT CONTACT TRACING RULES

Out on the road today and it looks like folks are getting out and socializing getting less distant and less lonely.     Local officials unilaterally moved York County, PA where I lived to looser chains yesterday.     I see people doing things today and inviting others to socialize with them.    GOOD.

The government electronic signs on the highway say "Social Distancing" and "Stay Home" but they are becoming more and more like poop every day round here.

Its time to move on from fear........

Music Links:

"EVERYBODY"-TOMMY ROE





"CANDY MAN"-SAMMY DAVIS JR. (LIVE)





"I GOT YOU BABE"-SONNY AND CHER





"I'M JUST ME"-CHARLEY PRIDE

"We would never have modern, high-tech types of weapons that no country in the world yet has-how could we have done this if there were no fundamental science, scientific schools, engineering personnel?..."

Russian President Vladimir Putin Interview For "Moscow.Kremlin" Program

Well President Trump has something to say a "super duper missile" the other day and I guess one could argue this is a response of sorts.

ANNE SACOOLAS UPDATE:  VICTIM HARRY DUNN'S FAMILY WONDERS WHY SHE WAS ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY AFTER FATAL ACCIDENT?

She was the wife of a US intelligence agent operating as a diplomat in the UK.   Anne Sacoolas once worked for the CIA.    In August of last year she drove a car in the wrong lane that struck and killed 19-year old motorcylist Harry Dunn.

The UK now says it wants to extradite Sacoolas and an Interpol arrest notice was issued this week that would lead to her arrest if she enters any third country.     The US steadfastly refusing to extradite her as stated by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus.

The family of Harry Dunn now believes the UK government covered up matters in allowing Sacoolas to leave the country in the first place and wants a judicial inquiry to get to the facts about who made decisions about letter her go last year......

ITV UK NEWS STORY

GERMANY PROTEST UPDATE:   POLICE CRACKDOWN AS THOUSANDS RALLY AGAINST THE LOCKDOWN

Thousands more gathered than we allowed by the police in Germany to gather for the protests today and they resorted to harsh tactics as the crowd booed their orders to leave in Berlin.......

DAILY MAIL UK NEWS STORY

Protesters in Germany holding copies of the country's constitution today as police broke up what the "Berlin Spectator" called "illegal protests" from happening....

BERLIN SPECTATOR STORY

PROTEST AT HYDE PARK IN LONDON LEADS TO ARRESTS WITH AT LEAST 13 ARRESTED TODAY

MY LONDON STORY WITH PICTURES

AMONG THE MANY SLOGANS ON SIGNS IN LONDON:

"NO TO THE NEW ABNORMAL"

"FREEDOM OVER FEAR"

LONDON PROTEST VIDEO-HYDE PARK 5/16/2020

FREE OHIO PROTEST-LISBON, OHIO TODAY

The continuing efforts to get things back to "Real Normal" in Ohio today urging Republican Governor Mike DeWine to back down from any and all Covid-19 controls on the people of the state.....

WKBN-TV NEWS REPORT (WITH VIDEO EMBEDDED)

POLICE DEPLOYED IN SWITZERLAND TO BREAK UP PROTESTS IN FOUR DIFFERENT PLACES.....

Police moving to stop protests as hundreds tried to demonstrate against a ban on public gatherings in Switzerland imposed as an anti-coronavirus measure.    Arrests were reported...

SWISS INFO STORY

"ENFORCEMENT ACTION TAKEN AS A LAST RESORT"-POLICE MOVE IN TO CRACK DOWN ON PROTEST 

Scottish police moving in to stop protesters in Glasgow today who didn't listen to warnings from the government and police not to protest.

GLASGOW LIVE NEWS STORY

COPS SHUT DOWN GLASGOW LOCKDOWN PROTEST-VIDEO REPORT

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND PROTEST TODAY---

LIVERPOOL ECHO STORY

Music Links:

"EAGLE"-ABBA

"FLY ROBIN FLY"-SILVER CONVENTION

"LAISSEZ MOI DANSER"-DALIDA




And a song from France's hit parade in the 1970's Dalida's "Laissez Moi Danser" and of  course "Laissez" means "Free".....


People trying to be "Free" in this world today and in France the Yellow Vests were able to emerge from the strict house arrest to be present for protest today but indications are the protests were limited today.   I will finalize the post later but here is what he have on the Yellow Vests Week 79 in France....




FRANCE YELLOW VESTS WEEK 79: LIMITED LOOSENING OF HOUSE ARREST

ITALY WILL MOVE FORWARD TO OPEN ITS ECONOMY

It was a guy I spoke with during my mainstream media career political guru James Carville who said:

"It's the economy stupid"

but Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte spoke today to his country and said this among other things:

"We're facing a calculated risk in the knowledge that the contagion curve may rise again.    We have to accept it otherwise we will never be able to start up again"

ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIUSEPPE CONTE SPEECH 5/16/2020 (SPEECH IN ITALIAN)



BBC NEWS STORY




Fear leads to economic calamity which leads to more fear.

FEAR

seems to be running the show out there.

REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE THE MONEY IS SPENT, THE ECONOMY DEVASTATED

Michael Savage on the radio Friday talking about the situation and his podcast in the black box on the right of the page.....

MICHAEL SAVAGE WEBSITE

BILLIONS SPENT AND THE BILL IS GOING TO COME DUE

The UK situation summed up in this weekend's column from Peter Hitchens....

"Think of Chancellor Rishi Sunak as a smiling salesman of payday loans, and you will begin to get the picture.

'Yes of course you can have the money. Happy to help!'  he says as he hands over the wads of notes.

But it will not be the cheery face of Mr. Sunak that you see when the time comes for repayment, but the hard and relentless agents of Her Majesty's Revenue an Customs.

And don't think that the repayment boys will only be going after those who have accepted the various forms of government handout during the throttling of the economy.

Even if you have yourself kept working and stayed above water, they'll still be after you."

And the history that Hitchens presents about the fall of the British Empire financially in the last century in the rest of his column is a must read for Americans as well as Britons.    Then Hitchens takes on the continuing mythology surrounding the threat of Covid-19.....

PETER HITCHENS COLUMN 5/16/2020 FURLOUGH BILLIONS? JUST A GIANT PAYDAY 

LOAN IN YOUR NAME

Music Links:

"PEOPLE GOT TO BE FREE"-THE RASCALS

"HELLO GOODBYE"-THE BEATLES

"LUCKY LIPS"-CLIFF RICHARD

"WILDWOOD DAYS"-BOBBY RYDELL

Well here we are the freedom protesters here there and everywhere.      Some more videos to present.

TORONTO LOCKDOWN PARTY PROTEST QUEENS PARK ONTARIO PARLIAMENT BUILDING 5/16/2020

BEACH BASH PROTEST IN MICHIGAN AT GRAND HAVEN STATE PARK 5/16/2020

And a late protest video coming in from San Diego this evening live video as of 920 pm Eastern US time......

YUGE SAN DIEGO REOPEN CALIFORNIA PATRIOT PROTEST RALLY MUSK FOR GOVERNOR 5/16/2020

A little personal commentary here I have been working out there and seeing things the way they really are the last few months.    I haven't stay confined to a house.   I have had at least one "essential job" and even some "essential volunteer work" to involve myself in since the middle of March.

I moving back to a more normal job configuration of working both my jobs again and that will cut back the volume of posting in the weeks ahead.

The work I do here is mainly the news summaries that deal with floods, fires, insurrections, factual news presented in a traditional way.

Its not cable news or talk radio fluff with talking heads or "experts",  its not political propaganda to get you kissing the butt of one party and kicking the butt of the other.

Its straight news in the tradition I saw as a child with a newspaper that had eight columns on its front page and in small print some 30 or so national and world news stories.

I like that straight news tradition as done by folks like Walter Cronkite whose news is a breath of fresh air compared to what we see nowadays.....

A video blast from the past the first ten minutes of the "CBS Evening News" from Friday May 22nd, 1970.....

CBS EVENING NEWS FRIDAY MAY 22ND, 1970

Good Night.    God Bless.      The words used by a performer I watched on television as a child as he closed his show.....

RED SKELTON GOD BLESS AND GOOD NIGHT

I hope you find sanity and sobriety, peace and serenity in the hours and days ahead.....

Music Links:




"SO YOU WANNA GO BACK TO EGYPT"-KEITH GREEN




"ROD AND STAFF"-MANSION BUILDER




"THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL"-LARRY NORMAN




"I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU"-ART GARFUNKEL




"SO MUCH IN LOVE"-THE TYMES




"WORLD WITHOUT LOVE"-PETER AND GORDON