Link: https://www.thenation.com/article/how-many-wars-is-the-us-really-fighting

Ken McGraw, a spokesman for Special Operations Command (SOCOM) :This year, US Special Operations forces have deployed to 135 nations, That’s roughly 70 percent of the countries on the planet. Every day,, America’s most elite troops are carrying out missions in 80 to 90 nations, practicing night raids or sometimes conducting them for real, engaging in sniper training or sometimes actually gunning down enemies.. As part of a global engagement strategy of endless operations conducted on every continent but Antarctica, they have now eclipsed the number and range of special ops missions undertaken at the height of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Link: http://www.informationliberation.com/?id=57688

According to Philadelphia 8th District Councilwoman Cindy Bass, shopkeepers protecting themselves with bulletproof plexiglass represents an "indignity" to her constituents and should therefor be banned.Bass says the windows only foster a sense that the establishment – more specifically, its clientele – is dangerous. And that too many of those stores masquerade as eateries when their biggest sales draw is alcohol, feeding vices in the city’s struggling neighborhoods.Dem Councilwoman Wants Bulletproof Plexiglass Ban, Represents An 'Indignity' to Minorities - Video

Link: http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2017/12/05/544596/Colombia-FARC-Rebels-Clashes

Thirteen people were killed in Colombia in a clash between National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels and FARC dissidents, the country's ombudsman said Tuesday.

The firefight, which comes as the ELN is observing a three-month ceasefire with the government in Bogota, happened last week in a remote area of the country's southwest, the official, Carlos Negret, told reporters.

Negret said ELN guerrillas had gone to a municipality near the Ecuador border to disarm a local farmers' resistance group, made up of alleged FARC dissidents, when the fighting occurred "resulting in the killing of 13 citizens."

He said the confrontation "totally goes against" the ELN's ceasefire with the government.

Link: http://tass.com/economy/978259

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev advises the population to keep their savings in rubles. The prime minister made such a statement in his annual live interview with Russian TV channels on Thursday.

"Considering that the overwhelming majority of our citizens keeps their savings in rubles now, makes payment in rubles and receives salaries in rubles, the answer regarding [the currency] to keep money in is obvious,"

Link: http://www.blacklistednews.com/US_military_agency_invests_%24100m_in_genetic_extinction_technologies_/61960/0/38/38/Y/M.html

A US military agency is investing $100m in genetic extinction technologies that could wipe out malarial mosquitoes, invasive rodents or other species, emails released under freedom of information rules show. The documents suggest that the US’s secretive Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) has become the world’s largest funder of “gene drive” research and will raise tensions ahead of a UN expert committee meeting in Montreal beginning on Tuesday.

The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is debating whether to impose a moratorium on the gene research next year and several southern countries fear a possible military application. UN diplomats confirmed that the new email release would worsen the “bad name” of gene drives in some circles. “Many countries [will] have concerns when this technology comes from Darpa, a US military science agency,” one said. The use of genetic extinction technologies in bioweapons is the stuff of nightmares, but known research is focused entirely on pest control and eradication.

Link: https://www.rt.com/business/411956-bitcoin-breaks-all-time-high/

The world’s most valuable digital currency set another record on Tuesday, hitting $12,000 as of 13:40 GMT. Bitcoin has been smashing symbolic price barriers every few days, slightly retreating at times, and then accelerating to reach new heights.

Last week, the virtual currency broke through both the $10,000 and $11,000 levels for the first time, blasting past $11,700 on Sunday.

Link: https://www.rt.com/usa/412051-southern-california-fires/

Fires in Southern California continue to ravage the region overnight, shutting down the Interstate 5 highway. Hundreds of firefighters have responded to three massive fires threatening homes, structures and livestock.

The Thomas, Creek, and Rye Fires are wreaking havoc in Southern California, as authorities and firefighters scramble to contain the rapidly moving blazes.

Link: https://www.rawstory.com/2017/12/colorado-gop-treasurer-missed-court-date-for-20000-theft-because-he-was-arrested-for-fraud-in-el-salvador/

Jeff Fogg, who formerly served as the treasurer for Colorado’s Pueblo County Republicans, missed his November 16 court date in the state for charges that he spent $20,000 of the party’s funds; he was arrested just one day after missing that date in El Salvador under suspicion for a $100,00 fraud.

Link: https://www.rt.com/usa/412044-dozens-arrested-capitol-hill-taxes/

Hundreds of demonstrators blocked the corridors of a congressional office building in Washington, DC, seeking an audience with their representative to protest the recently adopted tax bill. Dozens were arrested.

A number of California residents descended on the offices of House of Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-California) to discuss the tax bill, but were barred from entering.

Link: https://www.rt.com/news/412043-greece-protesters-storm-labor-ministry/

Crowds of angry protesters in the Greek capital of Athens have forced their way into the country's labor ministry, smashing security barriers and clashing with police. Demonstrators voiced discontent with a number of proposed reforms, including the right to strike.

The shuttered entrance of the ministry in the center of Athens was forced open Tuesday, as a large number of protesters spilled into the government building. Riot police with shields and batons were unable to stop the crowds from storming the property. At least one police officer was injured.

Link: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-12-03/3d-printed-suicide-machines-will-usher-silent-genocide

The high-tech ‘suicide machine’ is a capsule and comes with a detachable coffin, Once the access code is entered and the subject is in the device; the capsule will lock and release liquid nitrogen to drop the oxygen level, as one will experience an euphoric and peaceful death with-in minutes. The capsule will then detach from the Sarco machine and be used as a coffin. The base can be re-used. The machine can be 3d-printed and assembled in any location in the world. Design criteria for the Sarco will be free, made open-source, and placed on the internet”.

Link: http://tass.com/defense/978942

The MiG-29 multirole frontline fighter is designed to destroy air targets day and night in any weather conditions. The aircraft can effectively carry out air patrols and provide air support for ground forces and troop landings, isolate a combat area, conduct air reconnaissance, intercept air targets, accompany attack and military transport planes and deliver strikes against ground and naval targets.

Link: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/12/04/germany-offers-money-for-migrants-to-go-back-home.html

Germany has come up with a novel way to thin the ranks of migrants who have sought asylum but been rejected: paying them to leave.

The country, which has come under fire in some quarters for its acceptance of refugees fleeing war and hardship in various Muslim-majority countries, now wants to give rejected asylum-seekers a one-time payment of $3,570 to go home.

The Interior Ministry says those who qualify can apply by a Feb. 28 deadline and they would get the money once they return home.

Migrants who agree to go back even before their asylum request is rejected have already been offered money under a different program for almost a year. They would now be eligible to apply for both programs.

Link: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/04/ex-florida-democratic-rep-corrine-brown-sentenced-for-mail-wire-and-tax-fraud-involving-sham-charity.html

Former Florida Democratic Rep. Corrine Brown was sentenced on Monday to five years in prison for mail, wire and tax fraud involving a sham charity. A jury convicted Brown of stealing money from a bogus charity, One Door For Education, which purported to give scholarships to poor children but instead filled the coffers of Brown and her associates. Federal prosecutors said she and a top aide commited fraud by using donations for lavish parties and trips.The aide and another official later accepted a plea deal and testified against Brown, who served in Congress for nearly 25 years. She was defeated in her 2016 primary race.

Link: https://sputniknews.com/news/201712051059694676-supreme-court-full-enforcement-travel-ban/

US President Donald Trump's travel ban impacting six majority Muslim nations withstood legal scrutiny and will go into full effect, the US Supreme Court ruled on Monday.The decision provides Trump a legal victory The 7-2 decision announced late on Monday allows the administration to lift restrictions on the executive order that had been upheld by lower courts to partially block the ban. Legal disputes among lower courts have continued by the Supreme Court decision is somewhat decisive, especially since only two of the court's 9 justices dissented.

Link: https://www.activistpost.com/2017/12/venezuela-announces-petro-digital-currency-backed-gold-oil-diamonds.html

Venezuela is creating a digital currency to combat a financial blockade by the United States, President Nicolas Maduro announced Sunday.

The Petro will be backed by Venezuela’s oil and gas reserves and its gold and diamond holdings, the president said in his weekly television program.

“This is going to allow us to move toward new forms of international financing for the country’s economic and social development,” the president said.

The government also announced the creation of a “blockchain observatory” — a software platform for buying and selling virtual currency.

Link: http://www.dailywire.com/news/24262/first-comfirmed-bitcoin-billionaires-amanda-prestigiacomo

The Winklevoss twins are the first confirmed Bitcoin billionaires, according to a report from The Telegraph. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, who notably sued Mark Zuckerberg for allegedly stealing their idea for Facebook, invested $11 million into the international cryptocurrency in 2013, and after a massive surge last week, their Bitcoin empire surpassed $1 billion.

As noted by The Verge, Bitcoin "has surged over 10,000 percent since the Winklevoss’ investment, when one coin traded at around $120.

Link: http://www.thedailysheeple.com/israel-has-built-a-robot-army-and-it-should-scare-the-sht-out-of-you_122017

Israel is the first country in the world to use unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to not only patrol its borders but also to replace soldiers on missions, as well. The new Border Patroller model can be armed with remote-controlled weapons, reconnaissance means, and additional components that cannot be fitted on the traditional Guardium model it had been using for years prior.

The robot is also able to patrol underground and gather information for units that are present on the surface. For example, it can help soldiers avoid booby-trapped tunnels.

These robots can be given pre-designated routes for their patrol, making them more or less autonomous, part of a larger strategy to minimize risk to soldiers when possible. In addition, soldiers require breaks, food and water. All a Guardium needs is a full tank of gas. Israeli defense contractor Rafael has developed an unmanned patrol ship that is currently defending Israel’s strategic ports and patrolling the coastline.

Israel also has advanced a “drone that can reach Iran,” an unmanned aerial vehicle that can stay airborne for 24 hours and is believed to be capable of launching air-to-surface missiles. Israel has also deployed satellites far smaller than American ones that can discern objects as small as 20 inches from hundreds of miles away. According to former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s leaked emails, the country has at least 200 nuclear weapons “all targeted on Tehran.”

Link: http://www.blacklistednews.com/Electoral_Coup_Attempt_in_Honduras/61945/0/38/38/Y/M.html

Results from the election last Sunday have been delayed days but could be announced any moment. There have been streets protests for the past several days with several people killed. Constitutional rights have been suspended and a curfew imposed.

The current president and National Party candidate, Juan Orlando Hernandez, has reportedlyflown to Washington DC for consultation. Honduras is a US ally and the only Central America country to host US military base and forces. If Juan Orlando Hernandez is declared winner of the election it will likely result in increased mass protests and violence.

Link: https://www.rt.com/politics/411856-prosecutors-ask-10-year-sentence/

Russian prosecutors have asked for a sentence of 10 years in penal colony for former economic minister Aleksey Ulyukayev. The custodial sentence would be in addition to a fine of about $8.5 million if he is found guilty of accepting a $2 million bribe.