Economy –
Still waiting to hear on Black Friday numbers, but speculation I’ve been reading suggests that is has been ‘black’ with far lower sales than hoped for.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
Women’s Declaration International (WDI), a group of volunteer women from across the world dedicated to protecting women’s sex-based rights, were trying to hold an event in support of women’s rights at a public library in Portland, when they were attacked by male Transtifa activists - with several women being sent to the hospital.
OBSERVATION - While a relatively small event, this furthers my point that the Transtifa elements are more inclined towards violence than your general “-tifa” elements.
***
Pro-Hamas protests were conducted across the country - in many instances in an effort to disrupt traditional Black Friday shopping.
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
Follow up on the initially reported car explosion at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing. It is being investigated that the car - a $300K Bentley- suffered accelerator getting stuck. Similar was a subject of a recall earlier in the year, but reportedly did’t include the model that crashed.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics – HEIGHTENED ALERT STATUS
Following up on this new China outbreak. Chinese authorities say it is a bacterial infection, Mycoplasma pneumonia. Other sources in China say it could be new strains of viruses.
WHO has now issued a call for all of China to institute masks, social distancing and quarantining. wuhan 2.0
RELATED -
Chinese state newspaper Global Times acknowledged a surge in respiratory disease in the country, particularly among children, which has alarmed international observers – but blamed it on an “immunity gap” in the population, caused by China’s brutal “zero-covid” lockdowns.
W.H.O. insisted in a statement on Thursday that it had no evidence of any new diseases circulating in China.
“In the current outbreak of respiratory illness, the reported symptoms are common to several respiratory diseases and, as of now, at the present time, Chinese surveillance and hospital systems report that the clinical manifestations are caused by known pathogens in circulation,” the W.H.O. said in a statement. “Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen and a common cause of paediatric pneumonia, and is readily treated with antibiotics.”
China’s mandatory lockdowns, forced imprisonment of thousands of people in quarantine camps, and other measures against the Wuhan coronavirus could have led to the nation’s children being exposed to fewer diseases on a regular schedule – and left them with weaker immunity.
OBSERVATION - A similar observations has been expressed here in the US for a couple years now. The childhood years are critical to the development of immunity to common bugs and the two years of lockdown/social distancing has denied a lot of that. That said - we are not out of the woods on what this is or potential impacts here.
***
US attorney Tom Renz says unclassified DARPA documents confirm SARS-CoV-2 was created by the EcoHealth Alliance at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, coordinated by Peter Daszak, and was designed to be deliberately toxic, resulting in 6.5 million deaths.
OBSERVATION - I’m trying to see confirmation on the authenticity of the document in today’s age of fakes. If true, it was clear that by the time of the document - 2021 - the govt had full knowledge of this virus.
Biden / Harris Watch –
Biden called for Americans to “come together,” called conservative opinions “crazy MAGA nonsense” on same day
***
Both Harris and biden have been getting roasted on the interwebs for their thanksgiving posts showing both cooking on gas stoves while their administration pushes to ban all.
***
A legend in his own mind, biden is now claiming that the reason Hamas brutally attacked Israel is because he was close to ushering in peace in the Middle East.
Illegal Immigration –
A recent report has exposed a staggering surge in Chinese nationals attempting illegal entry into the United States via the southern border, with over 24,000 individuals intercepted in 2023 alone.
This number surpasses the combined total of Chinese migrants apprehended over the past 10 years, marking an unprecedented spike in this demographic’s attempts to enter the country illegally.
OBSERVATION - Some attribute the surge to very bad economic conditions, but there is a strong concern that these are more of a unconventional warfare threat to the US should China invade Taiwan.
***
The massive illegal immigrant problem in blue cities like New York, Chicago and Boston is about to get much worse. It’s one thing to have people sleeping on sidewalks and in tents in the spring and summer. Winter is a different story.
Now that cold weather is coming, these cities are starting to panic about where they’re going to put all these people.
In harsh winters, cities sometimes have a hard time finding places to put all the snow once it has been plowed. Finding warm and dry places for people to live is a much bigger challenge.
OBSERVATION - Pre-illegal surge, these cities had their hand full with just the generic homeless. Now with enhanced numbers of homeless due to the biden economy (or lack thereof) and illegals the matter is orders of magnitude worse. The fuse is lit as these cities are giving increasing priority to the illegals over homeless citizens.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated Nov 12, 2023
Russia is struggling to gain the initiative on several fronts in easter Ukraine. Attacks to take Adviivka, located near occupied Donetsk has been their priority as well as further north. However, it is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine.
The Russian army has lost a considerable amount of armor/tanks and personnel in the fight to take Adviivka, causing that offensive to stall considerably and resort to “meat” attacks.
With the arrival of the muddy season, significant offensive actions by Russia are unlikely.
Ukrainian action has forced Russia to move forces laterally to meet the Ukraine advance - thinning critical portions of the line and making them vulnerable to assault.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. With the onset of winter, it is believed that Russian is shepherding its stockpile of missiles/drones for an effort to take down the Ukraine power grid as it did last year. This task has become increasingly difficult as Ukraine adds air defense systems and gets better coverage.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is is essentially impotent and hesitant to deploy into now contested waters. Ukraine’s recent attacks on ships in Crimean harbors has forced the majority of the fleet to redeploying out of Crimea and to Russian bases, about 600 Km further away from the front lines.
Russian leadership reportedly planning for a long duration conflict, hoping to wear the Ukraine army down and cause European allies to tire of their support - forcing some sort of cease fire and negotiated peace.
*****
Kerch Bridge update –
RUMINT - Russia is discussing construction of an underwater tunnel that would connect Russia and temporarily occupied Crimea (with the help of private Chinese companies). This was initially discussed by Russia before the Kerch bridge project was started. Now given the bridge has been hit twice, the move to a more ‘secure’ crossing means is being considered
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temps in the 20 -40 degree range with rain and/or snow across the forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Overnight, Russia launched the largest drone attack against the Kyiv region since the start of the war. Overnight, A total of 75 Shahed’s were launched of which 74 were shot down. At least six regions were affected by the attack, but most focused on the Kyiv region. In addition, a single Kh-59 missile was destroyed in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Outlook —-
Mega drone attack. What’s missing are the more modern cruise missiles launched by sea and air. The Black Sea is currently in the midst of a very severe storm with massive waves being reported. That likely keep the missile cruiser in port (along with fears of Ukraine seaborne drones). The Russian strategic bombers continue to remain silent and on the ground as well.
The success of the Ukraine ADA was remarkable, but then Russia attacked the beehive swarm of the ADA defense and not outlying areas with lower density of systems. Russia is also painting the drones black to make them less visible using their night attacks.
Mud rules ground operations.
OSINT and other analysts are noting that the Russian artillery support is getting even worse. Initially had an greater than 10 to 1 advantage, it is now down closer to parity due to a number of reasons
- Ukraine hunter / killer drone teams prioritizing artillery targets
- Ukraine far better counter battery fire
- Western artillery outranging Russian tubes
- Russia having to rely more and more on WW2 vintage D20- and D30 towed artillery to replace the self propelled units
Russian milbloggers continually bemoan that they no longer have massive artillery support for their ground attacks - multiplying troop losses. N Korean munitions have a bad reputation too and have reportedly killed many Russians. Loss of artillery during the season of mud leaves the attacking Russian forces wide open to Ukraine fire of all sorts.
Europe / NATO General –
Tensions in Ireland are running high in Dublin for the 2nd straight night. Violence and damage at a minimum.
OBSERVATION - I wonder why they are focusing of destroying businesses - and not directly assaulting the immigrants they claim to abhor?
***
Estonia deploys its military forces to start building barriers on border crossings with Russia to stop illegal migrants from crossing the border.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- First round of hostage - terrorist exchanges conducted. Second round expected
- Operational ‘pause’ remains intact.
GENERAL ——————————-
Hamas terrorists released 25 hostages on Friday morning.
- 13 Israeli children captured during October 7 raid
- 12 Thai nationals captured by the terror group during their brutal raid inside Israel.
39 Palestinian prisoners — women and children in both cases were released in exchange.
Hamas is still holding around 215 other hostages
Second round of exchanges expected today. Israeli authorities say 14 hostages held by Hamas will be released on Saturday.
As part of the Qatar-brokered deal, Israel will release 42 Palestinian prisoners
GAZA FRONT ———————————-
Operation pause holds.
LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Overnight drone from Lebanon shot down as well as a Hezbollah SAM shot down by IDF missiles.
WEST BANK——————————-
IDF/police continue to seek out and arrest Hamas and affiliated terrorists. Action is not affected by the Hamas ‘pause’
Palestine TV: The Israeli army shot two rioters during clashes in Qabatiya, south of Jenin
Israeli Security Forces storm the Shuafat camp in Jerusalem.
NOTE - these are not tented compounds as the term ‘camp’ would imply, but constructed buildings as found in the region.
“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
AP reports that an Israeli-owned container ship, the CMA CGM Symi, has been struck by an Iranian suicide drone in the Indian Ocean.
The AP defense source said the Malta-flagged vessel was suspected to have been targeted by a triangle-shaped, bomb-carrying Shahed-136 drone while in international waters.
“The drone exploded, causing damage to the ship but not injuring any of its crew.”
Additional word that an UI vessel claiming to represent the Yemeni govt challenged another cargo vessel in the Red Sea region.
OBSERVATION - This is the second attack on an internationally flagged vessel - no doubt the attackers were Houthi’s. This may spur the US into launching a strike against Houthi facilities as well as draw the international naval forces into a more focused anti-Houthi operation, expanding their anti-piracy operations.
INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
International press, while pushing for a more substantial cease fire is being forced to face the brutality of the treatment the hostages received at the hands of Hamas.
FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - A lot will depend on if Hamas can maintain their cease fire and promptly deliver the hostages. Both Hamas and IDF are using the period to rearm and evaluate their next moves. Israel has the advantage with all the intel material collected so far identifying remaining Hamas command and troop centers that will likely be hit hard once fighting resumes. Hamas is too torn apart to mount much of a defense and likely has had much of its forces retreat into to S Gaza where the human shields they rely upon have moved as well.
One particularly note - Israel parliament is processing a new law mandating the death penalty for acts of terror. The islamic radicals of Hamas et al should take note of the consequences of their attack - next round there may be far fewer prisoners available to exchange for hostages.
Houthi’s are getting bolder and need to be hit in the nose to prevent more chaos towards shipping in general and any ship associated to israel in specific.
Black Swans
Huge ‘sunspot archipelago’ 15 times wider than Earth is spotted on the Sun - and scientists warn it could bombard our planet with solar flares capable of causing devastating blackouts.
OBSERVATION - Solar CME (Coronal Mass Ejections) have hit the earth numerous times in history. When they interact with the earth’s magnetosphere, they create a specific electro-magnet pulse (EMP) that is separate from that created by a nuclear explosion. It is longer duration and is collected by railroads, and power transmission lines - surging the voltage and with the capability of taking out power. NOAA classifies them on their size - and the ones to worry about are those listed as X class.
The most famous of these events is the Carrington event, 1 to 2 September 1859, that caused some telegraph stations and railroad lines to catch fire from the power surge the rails and electrical wired collected. It was rated at an X45 storm.
The most recent example is the March 1989 geomagnetic storm that occurred as part of severe to extreme solar storms during early to mid March 1989, the most notable being a geomagnetic storm that struck Earth on March 13. This geomagnetic storm caused a nine-hour outage of Hydro-Québec’s electricity transmission system. The onset time was exceptionally rapid. It was much smaller than the Carrington event at X7.
The current sunspot cycle has been unusually active and this is a very large complex of sunspots. In theory we would have some warning of an earth directed CME of such magnitude to threaten our power grids. The question is are the power grids ready? The damage would be to the massive transformers as key substations and power plants due to the power surge. It is untested to see if new safeguards will provide adequate protection.
Unlike a potential nuclear EMP, our electronics would be safe as there isn’t enough material to collect and concentrate the spike of power. But houses could be out of power for extensive periods.
As a potential TEOTWAWKI event, knowing a big one is enroute and having preparations in place to mitigate the loss of power and potential impacts if long term is part of it. These are relatively high repeating events, worth knowing about and paying attention.
Unlike a potential nuclear EMP, our electronics would be safe as there isn’t enough material to collect and concentrate the spike of power. But houses could be out of power for extensive periods. As a potential TEOTWAWKI event, knowing a big one is enroute and having preparations in place to mitigate the loss of power and potential impacts ...
Question: what about those propane whole house generators used in Florida for hurricanes - would the chips in those allow them to work after a full carrington hit?
Globalism / Great Reset –
Slovakia and Estonia have announced that they will not sign onto the World Health Organization’s Pandemic Treaty.
***
President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, “The euro is key to our European unity. A digital euro, existing alongside cash, would future-proof our currency. It would be safe, easy to use and free of charge.
While the decision whether to issue a digital euro will be taken later, we’re now launching the preparation phase.”
OBSERVATION - The switch to the digital euro still has to face parliamentary approval, but that is likely a done deal, judging from the effort to go forward with a preparatory ‘phase’. In this instance, the announced plan is for the digital and physical to coexist.
Economy –
Black Friday generated $9.8 billion in U.S. online sales, according to Adobe Analytics, up 7.5% from a year ago. The spending bump reflects consumers looking to advantage of big deal days and finding it easier to compare discounts online.
A Mastercard analysis of this year’s Black Friday sales found that in-store sales rose just over 1% versus online sales, which grew by over 8% compared to last year.
OBSERVATION - That bodes ill for brick and mortar stores as the online shopping trend continues.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
A Jewish teacher in New York City was forced to lock herself in an office at her school after hundreds of “radicalized” students began rampaging through the school after they learned that she attended a pro-Israel rally, according to a report.
The incident reportedly happened at Hillcrest High School in Queens around 11 a.m. on Monday and only became public news on Saturday after the New York Post broke the story.
OBSERVATION - Brainwashed kids with behavior reinforced by pro-hamas media continue to show the ugly side of the fallout of the Gaza war, and in another front developing in the overall Balkanization of America.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics – HEIGHTENED ALERT STATUS
Pfizer failed to inform pregnant women participating in its clinical trial for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine that the clinical trial of a similar vaccine by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) was halted after a safety signal revealed a potential risk of preterm births leading to neonatal deaths.
Even though Pfizer knew about the potential safety signal and was studying preterm births as an “adverse event of special interest,” it continued to enroll women in its clinical trial and did not fully inform participants of the risks the vaccine may pose to their babies—and in some cases, provided misleading and contradictory statements, according to an investigation by The BMJ. “The BMJ article demonstrates Pfizer’s continued disregard for the law and patient choice,” attorney Thomas Renz told The Epoch Times in an email. “The entire point of informed consent is to ensure a patient can make a decision based on all available information. Rather than embracing the Nuremberg Code and American laws and regulations, Pfizer seems to view informed consent as a barrier to sales—something that causes vaccine hesitancy or drug hesitancy.”
OBSERVATION - I initially noted this issue way back in late 2020 IIRC (one could follow the threads back if interested). In that initial report, Pfizer played word games to mask the nature of the losses of the embryo to spontaneous miscarriage. By playing the word games, they were able to deflect criticism of the dangers of the mRNA jab on pregnant women. Study also went as far to warn women seeking pregnancy that the jab may integer with them getting pregnant as well.
Folks, this is fraud, and as such voids the protection that the EUA gives them. As civil lawsuits mount in the courts over other incidents of fraud, Pfizer and moderna face being wing wiped out of existence as companies. Hopefully actors at the CDC get caught in the back blast as well since they were aware of these things and allowed the jab to continue anyway.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA.) is suggesting that inflation— fueled by President Joe Biden’s Leftist policies— is a lie pushed by conservatives.
This week, Newsom claimed inflation plaguing Americans this holiday season is propaganda and nothing more than a fabrication being pushed by Republicans.
“Things you won’t see on Fox News today,” Newsom posted on social media. “Prices for Thanksgiving are down — from Turkey to air travel.”
The Democrat’s post included a chart showing price changes in items. According to data from the Labor Department, prices for peas, milk, stuffing, pie crusts, turkey, and cranberries have dropped from last year.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/11/gavin-newsom-tries-gaslight-public-suggesting-inflation-is/
OBSERVATION - Gaslighting the public as this cryptopresidental candidate tries to deflect the impact of inflation away from the democrats. An effort that caused greater examination of real inflation and branding his bleat as total nonsense.
***
The Republican-led House Ethics Committee is giving Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman a pass.
The committee indicated this week it lacked the votes to appoint a group to look into the Sept. 30 incident in which the New York Democrat — a member of the progressive “squad” — set off a fire alarm as lawmakers prepared to vote on a critical bill to prevent a government shutdown.
“A majority of the Members of the Committee did not agree to establish an [investigative subcommittee] or report to the House regarding Representative Bowman’s conduct,” a brief statement by the committee chairman, Mississippi Republican Michael Guest.
He plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of falsely pulling a fire alarm. He could have received up to six months in jail, but received a plea deal requiring him to pay a $1,000 fine and apologize in writing to Capitol Police.
OBSERVATION - This should have been a slam dunk. Video debunked every excuse Bowman gave for pulling the alarm. What a bunch of spineless wonders. NOTE - this committee is composed of 5 each republicans and democrats.
Illegal Immigration –
Department of Homeland Security is demanding that border agents use the preferred pronouns of illegal immigrants.
OBSERVATION - Well, I feel safer already.
China –
The Chinese military said Saturday that American naval destroyer USS Hopper entered China’s territorial waters without the approval of the Chinese government.
According to a post on the official WeChat account of the Chinese People Liberation Army’s Southern Theatre Command, the Chinese military deployed its naval and air forces to “track, monitor and warn away” the vessel.
It went on to say the incident “proves that the United States is an out-and-out ‘security risk creator’ in the South China Sea.”
This latest announcement comes days after China accused the Philippines of enlisting “foreign forces” to patrol the South China Sea, referring to joint patrols held since Tuesday by Philippine and U.S. forces.
Earlier this month, the United States and China held “candid” talks on maritime issues, including on the contested South China Sea, and the U.S. side underscored its concerns about “dangerous and unlawful” Chinese actions there, the U.S. State Department said.
https://www.newsmax.com/us/china-south-china-sea-military/2023/11/25/id/1143599/
OBSERVATION - China is unhappy because joint patrols, especially with the US, doesn’t allow them to bully Philippine vessels in the manner they’ve gotten used to.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated Nov 12, 2023
Russia is struggling to gain the initiative on several fronts in easter Ukraine. Attacks to take Adviivka, located near occupied Donetsk has been their priority as well as further north. However, it is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine.
The Russian army has lost a considerable amount of armor/tanks and personnel in the fight to take Adviivka, causing that offensive to stall considerably and resort to “meat” attacks.
With the arrival of the muddy season, significant offensive actions by Russia are unlikely.
Ukrainian action has forced Russia to move forces laterally to meet the Ukraine advance - thinning critical portions of the line and making them vulnerable to assault.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. With the onset of winter, it is believed that Russian is shepherding its stockpile of missiles/drones for an effort to take down the Ukraine power grid as it did last year. This task has become increasingly difficult as Ukraine adds air defense systems and gets better coverage.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is is essentially impotent and hesitant to deploy into now contested waters. Ukraine’s recent attacks on ships in Crimean harbors has forced the majority of the fleet to redeploying out of Crimea and to Russian bases, about 600 Km further away from the front lines.
Russian leadership reportedly planning for a long duration conflict, hoping to wear the Ukraine army down and cause European allies to tire of their support - forcing some sort of cease fire and negotiated peace.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temps in the 20 -40 degree range with rain and/or snow across the forecast period. Heavy snow fall in Odesa region, with highways being closed.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukrainian air defense shot down 8 of 9 Shahed drones launched by Russia overnight, way down from yesterday.
Otherwise, no significant activity.
Outlook —-
Weather dominated pauses in the operations by both sides. Expect continued lowered levels of operations and potentially higher levels of deep attacks (drones / missiles). The strategy will be shifting to attacks on logistics and artillery targets.
Moldova/Transnistria -
Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu says that Moldova has complied with 4 EU sanctions packages and also vowed to expand sanctions compliance in March 2023
Russia is framing these actions as contradictory to the will of the Moldovan people who want ties with Russia
Russia warns that Moldova’s decision to align with EU sanctions against it will “not go unanswered”
OBSERVATION - Tension between Moldova and the Russian controlled ‘break a way’ province of Transnistria has been growing since the start of the Ukraine war. The Russia force in Transnistria is not a robust anymore due to the pull of equipment and forces for use in Ukraine, but Moldova doesn’t have an army, only a police force. Historically, Moldova has been under Romania’s sphere of influence, and Romania has indicated support of Moldova over the Russian Transnistria conflict.
Europe / NATO General –
The French people took to the streets and demanded justice for the 16 year old teen who was stabbed to death because he was white.
More evidence of cultural ‘enrichment’ by the millions of migrants that have poured into France over the past years.
***
Tensions continue to be high in Spain, with 22 days of mass protests continuing.
***
Tensions and protests continue in Ireland, though at lower levels than the first day.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Hamas came close to violating the agreement by waiting until the last minute to release the second group of hostages
- List of hostages to be released today revealed by Hamas.
GENERAL ——————————-
The Qatari government has said that 13 Israeli women and children will be released by the Hamas terrorist organization later today, along with seven foreign nationals. This will bring the number of Israeli hostages released since Friday to 39, after 13 were released on Friday afternoon and another 13 on Saturday night.
Hamas delayed the second group’s release due to a false claim that Israel did’t allow relief trucks into N Gaza. Qatar and Egyptian leadership both condemned Hamas and told them to stop the ‘games’. Israel had warned that they would resume combat at midnight if the hostages weren’t released.
GAZA FRONT ———————————-
Operation pause holds.
WEST BANK——————————-
IDF / Police continue operations to arrest Hamas related terrorists.
“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
An oil tanker linked to Israel has been seized off the coast of Aden, Yemen, by an unknown force, a private security firm said Sunday.
The Central Park, managed and owned by Zodiac Maritime, was seized in the Gulf of Aden, private intelligence firm Ambrey said.
It wasn’t immediately clear who was behind the attack. Aden is held by forces allied to Yemen’s internationally recognized government and a Saudi-led coalition that has battled Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels for years.
The Central Park seizure comes after a container ship, CMA CGM Symi, owned by an Israeli billionaire came under attack Friday by a suspected Iranian drone in the Indian Ocean
FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - A lot will depend on if Hamas can maintain their cease fire and promptly deliver the hostages. It almost fell apart on the second day because of Hamas. Two more days (including today) are left for all the hostages agreed to are released. Will Hamas try to swing a deal for more operational pause with releasing more hostages? It is already standard knowledge that Hamas will milk the hostage angle for a long as they can in order to get their way in the current situation.