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Today: 48 articles and 105 comments as of 16:01.
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Iraq and Iran compel Kurdish withdrawal from Kirkuk
Today's Headlines
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Page 1: WoT Operations
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5 12:18 Hellfish []
Page 6: Politix
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-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-
After Harvey Weinstein, Canadian producer hit by sexual misconduct allegations
[DAWN] La Belle France's answer to "America's Got Talent" is being taken off air after the show's linchpin, Canadian entertainment figure Gilbert Rozon, was hit by allegations of sexual misconduct involving nine different women.

Rozon, who also founded Montreal's prominent "Just For Laughs" comedy festival, is a jury member on "La Belle France Has Incredible Talent," whose 12th season had been due to premiere October 26 until broadcaster M6 pulled the plug on Thursday.

Nine women went public Wednesday with allegations of sexual misconduct by Rozon, triggering a shockwave in Quebec hard on the heels of the revelations targeting Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced movie mogul accused by dozens of actresses of sexual harassment, assault and rape.

Posted by: Fred || 10/20/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


China-Japan-Koreas
Xi Sets Out What He Is Thinking, the road ahead for China 2020-2035 and 2035-2050
[ChinaBystander] Xi Jinping Thought comprises 14 bullets points that, in short, reiterate that the Party leads everything. However, the sense of marking an epoch is as palpable as it is deliberate.

Xi portrays his China as one that will have become a global leader with international influence, a modern economy, advanced culture and world-class armed forces.

This future will come in two 15-year phases, 2020-2035 and 2035-2050.

The first phase will focus on turning fast growth into high-quality development, the deliverance of a "moderately prosperous society". The second will turn China, by then likely the world's largest economy, into Beautiful China, some nirvana-like flowering of a great modern socialist country-cum-superpower, and to do so, conveniently, in time for the 2049 centenary of the revolution that brought Mao and the Party to power. (Poverty is to be eradicated by the centenary of the Party's founding, 2021.)

The first phase involves moving ahead with the rebalancing of the economy towards consumption-led growth that has been haltingly underway for some time. The financial system will become more market-based, and state-owned enterprises will be turned into world-class, globally competitive firm. China will become more open to foreign investors. Rule by law will be enhanced. Greater environmental protections introduced. The modernization of the PLA will be completed by 2035, giving China a world-class military, for which read on par with or better than the United States'.

Diplomatically, China will pursue global development in partnership with other countries, though it will create an alternative (and Beijing-led) global order architecture to be the framework for that. Alongside that, it will seek to strengthen its cultural soft power. Meanwhile, internally the anti-corruption campaign will continue to ensure the Party does not rot from the inside. And loyalty to the party and central leadership group must be absolute.
I'm not sure which is worse, a future led by China or a future led by our existing globalist elites.
Posted by: Herb McCoy7309 || 10/20/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Commies

#1  I'm not sure which is worse, a future led by China or a future led by our existing globalist elites.

How Chinese feel about Islam?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 10/20/2017 1:29 Comments || Top||

#2  China has not been promised a Mandate. Far from it. But India, maybe I could go there after the democrats and moslems finish America off.

I only talked about China because they were becoming the largest Christian Nation in the world.

Who knows. Spin the marxist wheel where everyone loses - I won't be there.

I HATE Communism, China. And you suck at running anything with that useless ideology.

Lucky for US
Posted by: newc || 10/20/2017 2:10 Comments || Top||

#3  "I'm not sure which is worse, a future led by China or a future led by our existing globalist elites"

Hint:
There is no difference.
Posted by: newc || 10/20/2017 2:11 Comments || Top||

#4  This future will come in two 15-year phases, 2020-2035 and 2035-2050.

15 year plans fail slower than 5 year plans
Posted by: Frank G || 10/20/2017 7:17 Comments || Top||

#5  15 year plans fail slower than 5 year plans

Glorious Socialist Future! Now with three times the fail!!!
Posted by: charger || 10/20/2017 22:10 Comments || Top||


Europe
Spain to push ahead with suspending Catalonia's autonomy
[DAWN] Spain said on Thursday that it will press ahead with suspending Catalonia's autonomy after the region's leader warned he may declare independence, heralding an unprecedented escalation of the country's worst political crisis in decades.

The central government in Madrid had given separatist leader Carles Puigdemont until 10am (0800 GMT) on Thursday to say whether or not he was declaring a breakaway state in the semi-autonomous region following a chaotic referendum on October 1.

Posted by: Fred || 10/20/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Could Israel offer it's services as mediator.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 10/20/2017 1:42 Comments || Top||

#2  Heh(c)
Posted by: Procopius2k || 10/20/2017 7:21 Comments || Top||

#3  Californian autonomy? I'm all for it.
Posted by: Besoeker || 10/20/2017 9:42 Comments || Top||

#4  This Catalonia independence gambit is nothing new.

The central government pushed back a few years ago, too.
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 10/20/2017 18:24 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Culture Wars
Sean Penn Tries Blocking Netflix Documentary Suggesting He Ratted Out El Chapo
[TMZ] Sean Penn is using a full-court press to either block or re-edit a Netflix documentary that suggests Penn ratted out El Chapo by alerting the United States Dept. of Justice of his whereabouts.

Multiple sources involved in the documentary -- due out Friday -- tell TMZ, some of the people interviewed suggest that Penn alerted the DOJ that he was traveling down to a secret location in Mexico to interview the drug kingpin for a Rolling Stone article.

TMZ has obtained an email from David Broome, the Executive Producer of "The Day I Met El Chapo: The Kate del Castillo Story," in which he worries ... "My concern is that we are taking an immense amount of pressure from all directions related to Sean Penn and currently Netflix has done a great job of hanging tough -- but their nerves are on edge."

Broome goes on ... "I'm worried that there's a chance Netflix hits the brakes for a while."



Penn, del Castillo and 2 others met Chapo on Oct. 2, 2015. Twelve hours after the meeting, Mexican authorities raided the site but Chapo had already left. He was captured 3 months later.

We've learned several lawyers working for Penn repeatedly contacted Netflix to, at the very least, eliminate any references to their client allegedly contacting DOJ prior to meeting Chapo.

Our sources say Penn's concern is that if Chapo's associates in the world of drugs believe he set Chapo up for capture, there'd be a target on the heads of Penn, his family and his associates.

Penn's spokesperson, Mark Fabiani, tells TMZ, "It is reprehensible that, in their ongoing, relentless efforts to gain additional attention and publicity, Ms. del Castillo and her team (who have zero firsthand knowledge) have sought to create this profoundly false, foolish, and reckless narrative."

The rep goes on, "The notion that Mr. Penn or anyone on his behalf alerted DOJ to the trip is a complete fabrication and bald-faced lie. It never happened, nor would there have been any reason for it to have happened."
Wonder if Spicoli may be rethinking his position on personal protection of the non anti-Madonna variety?
Posted by: Anomalous Sources || 10/20/2017 00:01 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Narcos

#1  Oh please oh please put this shitbag in the cartel's crosshairs.
Posted by: DarthVader || 10/20/2017 9:06 Comments || Top||

#2  Disagreeing with one political leanings is one thing. Wishing someone was dead because of them is another.

Shame on you.
Posted by: One Eyed Chise9306 || 10/20/2017 9:47 Comments || Top||

#3  We follow the golden rule, One Eyed Chise9306
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 10/20/2017 10:13 Comments || Top||

#4  Can we wish him removed because of the social burden his self-important public hubris engenders?
Posted by: Skidmark || 10/20/2017 10:14 Comments || Top||

#5  Penn's spokesperson, Mark Fabiani

Representing unethical cowardly losers since the 90's: Clintons during impeachment, Dean Spanos (Ex-San Diego Chargers owner), and Sean Penn
Posted by: Frank G || 10/20/2017 10:22 Comments || Top||

#6  Say what you want (no really, go ahead) about Sean, but he can take a punch.

Oh wait. That was his ex-wives: Madonna and Robin Wright
Posted by: Frank G || 10/20/2017 10:28 Comments || Top||

#7  Who's bringing the popcorn? Not for the movie but for the unfolding of events surrounding this douche bag. This is probably the only time he has ever thought about someone else than himself. So, I call BS on his concern.
Posted by: AlmostAnonymous5839 || 10/20/2017 10:37 Comments || Top||

#8  Excellent!
Posted by: gorb || 10/20/2017 11:18 Comments || Top||

#9  Frank G - aren't you being a bit harsh lumping Sean Penn in with Dean Spanos?
Posted by: Raj || 10/20/2017 11:43 Comments || Top||

#10  Spicoli can go somewhere safe like Venezuela and chill until the movie bombs.
Posted by: Airandee || 10/20/2017 11:44 Comments || Top||

#11  Not wishing pain and suffering for his political leanings.

Wishing so because he is a horrible person and a vile individual. The best thing he could do for humanity and the earth is to serve as worm food.

But then I feel the same way about most Communists and wannabe tyrants.
Posted by: DarthVader || 10/20/2017 12:21 Comments || Top||

#12  Yet another lefty douche learns actions have consequences. He has a habit of backing dictitorial losers. In the words of Bill Murray in Ghostbusters II...

Posted by: Warthog || 10/20/2017 12:40 Comments || Top||

#13  Couldn't understand Jane Fonda going to Hanoi. Couldn't understand Sean Penn going to meet El Chapo. I guess I'm just a scaredy cat but I tend to stay away from dangerous thugs and murderers. Leave that to the army and police who have the training and fire power to properly deal with such misceants.
Posted by: Ho Chi Glogum7220 || 10/20/2017 12:58 Comments || Top||

#14  I suspect the cartel doesn't care, there's no reports of threats, etc from the cartel to Netflix.

Really, it reads like a publicity stunt originated by Penn with Netflix cooperation to generate interest in the "show".

FTM!

Posted by: Seeking cure for ignorance || 10/20/2017 16:00 Comments || Top||

#15  Interesting concept Seeking, although I believe the cartel would care a great deal about the situation.

And it wouldn't be about Netflix (who is only the messenger in this case).

They just wouldn't telegraph it.

Probably was Fabiani's idea to do the 'meet and greet' anyway. Perhaps he's 'involved' in other ways, too.
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 10/20/2017 17:40 Comments || Top||

#16  I'll give him a C- in Virtue Signaling.
Posted by: Besoeker || 10/20/2017 17:49 Comments || Top||

#17  Sean Penn was never that bright to begin with.
Posted by: Pappy || 10/20/2017 17:57 Comments || Top||

#18  Is he related to William?
Posted by: Choluling Glineng1506 || 10/20/2017 20:33 Comments || Top||




Who's in the News
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1Lashkar e-Jhangvi
1MEND
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Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.

Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has dominated Mexico for six years.
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Two weeks of WOT
Fri 2017-10-20
  Iraq and Iran compel Kurdish withdrawal from Kirkuk
Thu 2017-10-19
  TTP names successor to APS mastermind Umar Mansoor
Wed 2017-10-18
  US-Backed Forces Say Have Captured Raqa from IS
Tue 2017-10-17
  Terror leaders Hapilon (Abu Sayyaf), Maute (Maute Group) gunned down in Marawi
Mon 2017-10-16
  The "War after ISIS" begins in Iraq
Sun 2017-10-15
  Report: U.S. Coalition Cuts Islamic State Revenues over 90 Percent
Sat 2017-10-14
  Iraqi forces move to begin operations against Kurds
Fri 2017-10-13
  Iraq PM Denies Attack Plan as Tensions Rise with Kurds
Thu 2017-10-12
  British jihadi Sally Jones killed by US drone strike fleeing ISIS hell
Wed 2017-10-11
  Bangladesh arrests top leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami
Tue 2017-10-10
  Nusra Front, Islamic State clash in Syria's Hama province
Mon 2017-10-09
  Syrian rebels capture ISIS HQ in Deir Ezzor
Sun 2017-10-08
  Two Saudi guards killed in attack on royal palace in Jeddah
Sat 2017-10-07
  Driver 'deliberately mows down pedestrians' outside London Museum
Fri 2017-10-06
  Iraqi premier claims victory against Islamic State in Hawija

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