Friday, November 29, 2019

Tweets For Today











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Hong Kong Gears Up For Weekend Protests

Members of a safety team established by police and local authorities look on as they assess and clear unsafe items at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) in Hong Kong, November 28, 2019. REUTERS/Leah Millis

Reuters: Hong Kong gears up for weekend protests

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong braced for a fresh round of protests over the weekend as police said they would withdraw from a university on Friday that has been the site of some of the worst clashes between protesters and security forces in nearly six months of unrest.

The protests, announced by demonstrators on social media, are planned from Friday, through the weekend and into next week. A big test of support for the movement is expected on December 8 with a rally planned by Civil Human Rights Front, the group that organized million-strong marches in June.

The Asian financial hub has seen a week of relative calm since local elections on Sunday delivered an overwhelming victory to pro-democracy candidates.

Anti-government protests have rocked the former British colony since June, at times forcing businesses, government, schools and even the international airport to close.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: After 5 months there are no signs that the protests are going to taper off.
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Picture Of The Day

President Donald Trump takes a photo with U.S. troops during a surprise visit at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, November 28. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

WNU Editor: The above picture came from this photo-gallery .... Trump makes surprise Thanksgiving trip to Afghanistan (Reuters).
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President Trump In Afghanistan (Videos)









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Thursday, November 28, 2019

Beijing Does Nothing After President Trump Signs Hong Kong Bill


Zero Hedge: China Folds: For All Its Bluster, Beijing Does Nothing After Trump Signs HK Bill

Just a few hours after Trump called China's bluff on the Hong Kong bill, it appears the US president won the pot.

After launching a stern verbal protest overnight in which China's Foreign Ministry said that it would take strong countermeasures if the US continues to undermine Hong Kong's autonomy after Trump signed the Bill that supports HK protesters, adding that US attempts to interfere in HK are doomed to fail, Beijing has done nothing really, and instead left the door open for a trade deal with the U.S., confirming again that China needs the trade deal with the US just as much as Trump, if not more.

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WNU Editor: They are going to do nothing now. Their focus is on seeing President Trump lose next year when he runs for re-election.
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Polls In The U.K. Still Predicting A Majority Government For Boris Johnson



Business Insider: Boris Johnson's Conservatives are heading for a huge victory over Labour, according to the polling model which correctly forecast Theresa May would lose her majority

* Boris Johnson is on course for a big majority in the general election, according to the polling model that accurately predicted the outcome of the 2017 election.
* The Conservatives would win 359 seats, Labour 211, the SNP 43, and the Lib Dems 13, YouGov's MRP model suggested.
* The result would give Johnson a majority of 68 as he made big gains at Labour's expense, particularly in the Midlands and north of England.
* However, only a relatively modest swing in the other direction would trigger another hung parliament.

Boris Johnson's Conservatives are set for a crushing general election win over Labour on December 12, according to the polling model which accurately predicted the outcome of the 2017 vote.

The YouGov data, which tracks the responses of tens of thousands of people, said the Tories could win a 68-seat majority in parliament if the election were held tomorrow.

Labour is on track for 211 seats, it predicted, losing 44 constituencies to the Conservatives, including the seat of Tom Watson, the outgoing deputy leader.

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Update #1: Boris Johnson Set for 68-Seat Majority According to YouGov Poll (Bloomberg)
Update #2: UK's Conservatives set for biggest win since 1987: YouGov model (Reuters)

WNU Editor: I like the YouGov polling model because it uses a large sample size, and it has a history of understanding voters intentions. As to what is my prediction. Even though I am an outsider, my gut tells me that almost everyone voter in the U.K. has alrady made up their mind, and Boris Johnson is going to have a huge majority after December 12 with a clear mandate for Brexit.
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UN Report: Zimbabwe On Brink Of Man-Made Starvation



VOA: Zimbabwe on Brink of Man-made Starvation, UN Expert Says

HARARE, ZIMABABWE - A U.N. official is warning that Zimbabwe is on the brink of starvation, with millions facing food insecurity.

Hilal Elver, U.N. special rapporteur on the right to food, said Thursday that the government must reduce Zimbabwe's dependence on imported food and increase self-sufficiency to counter effects of the struggling economy and recurring drought.

Orpah Chiwashira, founder of Faith Community Support, a charity that provides meals to those in need, said Zimbabwe's struggling economy was taking a toll.

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More News On Zimbabwe Being On The Brink Of Man-Made Starvation

Zimbabwe facing man-made starvation, says UN expert -- UN News
Once the breadbasket of Africa, Zimbabwe now on brink of man-made starvation, UN rights expert warns -- Relief Web
UN expert: Zimbabwe hunger ‘shocking’ for country not at war -- AP
Zimbabwe facing 'man-made' starvation, UN expert warns -- News24/AFP
Zimbabwe 'on brink of man-made starvation', UN warns -- BBC
Zimbabwe's food crisis: 'Food security is national security' -- Al Jazeera
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Is China Supplying Anti-Aircraft Missiles To Ethnic Rebels In Myanmar

Stock image of Chinese soldiers firing a Chinese-made FN-6 MANPAD. Photo: Military Recognition/Facebook

Anthony Davis, Asia Times: China’s mobile missiles on the loose in Myanmar

Ethnic rebels unexplained acquisition of Chinese-made FN-6 portable missiles is a political and military game-changer.

Myanmar’s seizure last week of a large cache of mostly Chinese weapons from a rebel camp sparked a brief and predictable flurry of nationalist outrage, underscoring as it did the shadowy role of neighboring China in fueling the nation’s many long-running ethnic conflicts.

But the real significance of the November 22 incident had less to do with the seized weaponry’s quantity or provenance and much more with unambiguous confirmation that insurgents in active hostilities with government forces, or Tatmadaw, are now fielding man-portable air defense systems, or MANPADS, weapons that militarily and politically constitute potential game-changers.

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WNU Editor: The Myanmar military only found one Chinese-made FN-6 portable missile, but if there is one there is probably many.
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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- November 28, 2019



Anita Kumar, Politico: Behind Trump’s secret war-zone trip: A Mar-a-Lago escape, a dark Air Force One and a Twitter plan

The president delivered his thanks to the troops on Thanksgiving in a visit to Afghanistan shrouded in secrecy and packed with the displays of military strength Trump loves.

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — President Donald Trump started his day like so many others at his south Florida resort: a relaxing round of golf, a few sharp tweets and then a White House announcement that he’d be staying in for the evening.

But this particular Wednesday — the night before Thanksgiving — ended with Trump escaping Mar-a-Lago without the usual presidential motorcade spectacle, boarding a military transport to Washington and then embarking on a 13-hour Air Force One flight into the heart of America’s longest war.

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- November 28, 2019

How Did Trump Spend Thanksgiving? Tweeting, Golfing—and Surprising U.S. Troops in Afghanistan -- Jessica Kwong, Newsweek

Why are Iraqi protesters targeting Iranian buildings? -- Arwa Ibrahim, Al Jazeera

China chugs Saudi oil, drawing MBS into its orbit -- Alison Tahmizian Meuse, Asia Times

After the U.S.-China Trade War -- Stephen Roach, Project Syndicate

China Is the United States's North Korea Problem -- J. Eisenman & K. Kennedy, The Hill

Will the US's Hong Kong rights law derail trade talks? -- Ana Nicolaci da Costa, BBC

The Guardian view on China, Hong Kong and Xinjiang: will the truth hurt? -- Guardian editorial

Hong Kong is the biggest geopolitical threat to markets, economist warns -- Chloe Taylor, CNBC

Is DR Congo on the brink? -- Fidelis Mbah, Al Jazeera

Morales’s Bolivia: Autocracy, Corruption, Waste -- Ryan Berg, National Review

Does Turkey still want to be in the EU? -- Thomas Sparrow, DW

Macron Isn’t the First French Leader to Attack NATO -- Andy Law, National Interest

NATO to celebrate a difficult 70th anniversary -- Stephen Bryen & Shoshana Bryen, Asia Times

Sticky impeachment trial questions: How long? Who testifies? -- Mark Sherman, AP

Why America Is Still Great -- Amitai Etzioni, National Interest
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World News Briefs -- November 28, 2019 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: Trump makes surprise Afghanistan trip, voices hope for ceasefire

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Reuters) - President Donald Trump made a surprise Thanksgiving visit to U.S. troops in Afghanistan on Thursday and said he believed Taliban insurgents would agree to a ceasefire in America’s longest war.

Trump’s visit was his first to Afghanistan since becoming president and came a week after a prisoner swap between Washington and Kabul that has raised hopes for a long elusive peace deal.

“The Taliban wants to make a deal and we are meeting with them,” Trump told reporters after arriving in Afghanistan after an overnight flight from the United States, kept secret for security reasons.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iraqi forces kill 45 protesters after Iranian consulate torched. 40 Iraqi protesters slain in 24 hours as violence spirals.

Iraq sets up military-led 'crisis cells' to quell mass unrest: statement.

France warns Iran over nuclear deal dispute mechanism.

Iran dismisses French comments about nuclear deal's dispute mechanism.

U.S. accuses Russia of helping Syria cover up chemical weapons use.

Syria: drone footage shows devastation in Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor and rural Damascus – video.

Ankara: Turkish soldiers killed in attack near Syrian border.

Macron is a sponsor of terrorism, says Turkish foreign minister.

Yemen civil war: 128 detainees sent home from Saudi Arabia.

Lebanon faces nationwide petrol workers' strike amid economic crisis.

Israel demolishes homes of alleged Palestinian killers: army.

ASIA

Trump visits troops in Afghanistan, reveals US-Taliban talks.

Hong Kong protests: China warns US over Human Rights and Democracy Act. Furious, China summons US ambassador over Hong Kong bills.

Protesters celebrate a victory after Trump signs Hong Kong human rights act.

North Korea's Kim expressed 'great satisfaction' over rocket test: KCNA.

North Korea fires unidentified projectiles, South Korea military says.

Taiwan’s election season kicks into high gear, as accusations of China meddling fly.

Uighur activists say China running hundreds more camps.

Anger over India's diplomat calling for 'Israel model' in Kashmir.

Abdulla Yameen: Maldives ex-leader convicted of money laundering.

AFRICA

UN: South Sudan recruits new force, contrary to peace deal.

East Africa struggles with heavy rains, with more to come.

Zimbabwe facing 'man-made' starvation, UN expert warns.

Refugees being 'starved out' of UN facility in Tripoli.

Libya, Turkey sign deals on security and maritime jurisdictions.

Namibia counts votes after polling ran on into night.

Mauritanian leader promises 500 mln euros in anti-poverty drive.

DR Congo: Ebola responders killed in armed attacks.

UNICEF: More in Congo killed by measles than Ebola in 2019. Four killed in attacks against DR Congo Ebola response centres.

Drought-hit South Africa braces for fresh heatwave.

EUROPE

Spain's Socialists, Catalan separatists to continue talks on new government.

Opponents attack Johnson’s character as UK election looms.

EU Parliament declares 'climate emergency.

Hopes fade for any more survivors in Albania quake; 46 dead.

France's Macron defends NATO 'brain death' remarks.

U.S. rejects proposal for spy swap of ex-Marine held in Russia.

Maltese PM's aide accused of being mastermind of Caruana Galizia killing.

Police offer €500,000 reward over Dresden diamond heist.

Police chief acquitted over UK stadium accident that killed 96.

Gordon Sondland: US ambassador to EU accused of sexual misconduct.

AMERICAS

Snow-clogged highway in California as stormy weather threatens U.S. holiday travel.

Three more Navy SEALs spared review after Trump's intervention.

Uruguay opposition claims victory in presidential vote, official candidate concedes.

U.S. official: Venezuela paid China, Cuba, Russia billions amid crisis.

Mexico: Poll finds public confidence highest in navy, army and president, lowest in police.

Colombians turn out in memory of dead protester Dilan Cruz. Colombians march in second national strike in less than a week in wake of slain protester. 'Enough is enough': Protests continue into 7th day in Colombia.

Thanksgiving storms dump snow on much of the US – and it isn't over yet.

Balloons cleared to fly in iconic NYC Thanksgiving Day parade.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamic State group affiliate claims French crash in Mali.

Jihadist crisis puts Mali's political class under pressure.

Germany to ban Hezbollah in its entirety: report.

Hundreds of foreign wives of ISIS fighters and their children remain in Limbo.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

World shares retreat after Trump approves Hong Kong bill.

Official: ‘Millimetres’ separate US, China from phase one trade deal.

TikTok parent company complicit in censorship and Xinjiang police propaganda: report.

The CEO of Twitter and Square says he's moving to Africa for at least 3 months next year because the continent will 'define the future'.
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