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Terror ALERT issued for Christmas and New Years as police strengthened across major events (express, Dec 25, 2017)
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/896513/Terror-alert-Christmas-New-Years-Italy-Milan-Rome-Florence-Turin-Berlin-Germany-Australia
“A TERROR alert has been issued for Christmas and New Years as police forces are strengthened across the nation, officials have confirmed.
Italy’s largest cities, including its capital, Rome, will see reinforced security measures throughout the festive period.
Turin, the city that hosted the Champions League final in June, will not allow firecrackers or fireworks to play a part in New Year celebrations.
The region was plagued with more than 1500 wounded civilians and one dead after a stampede erupted during the hugely-popular football event.
Florence will see increased security personnel on New Year’s Eve where turnstiles and metal detectors will be used in addition to crowd controlling at the Piazzale Michelangelo – an area set to see tons of Italians looking to bring in 2018.
A satellite tracking system will be implemented to monitor the number of people inside the square – crowds are limited to 15,000 for the celebrations.
Meanwhile, Milan has bolstered its security to prevent the possibility of cars ploughing into pedestrians with the city limiting entry locations.
Australia saw a white SUV drive through dozens of people outside Melbourne’s main train station on Thursday – Saeed Noori was arrested for the attempted murder of 18 citizens on Saturday morning.
Italy’s capital will see increased security around St. Peter’s Square due to the close proximity of tourist locations such as Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel.
On Christmas morning, the popular Piazza Navona site will play host to children attractions that will see bolstered protection.
Last year, Germany saw a deadly terror attack when a truck drove into a Christmas market next to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin…”
At least five dead in Christmas suicide attack as ‘desperate’ ISIS claim responsibility (express, Dec 25, 2017)
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/896511/isis-terror-christmas-Afghanistan-national-intelligence-agency
“A SUICIDE bomber on foot blew himself up close to a compound of Afghanistan’s national intelligence agency in the capital, Kabul, on Monday, killing at least five people and wounding two, government officials said.
The blast comes a week after Islamic State claimed an attack on a training facility of the same agency, the National Directorate for Security, in Kabul that ended when the attackers were killed before causing significant casualties.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for an explosion on Monday carried by a suicide bomber near a compound of Afghanistan’s national intelligence agency in the capital, Kabul, the group said on its Amaq news agency.
The blast, close to the entrance of the security agency compound, Afghan government officials said…”
Julian Assange’s official Twitter account not appearing
The official Twitter account of controversial Wikileaks founder Julian Assange — @JulianAssange — isn’t showing up.
Instead, anyone trying to reach it gets this message:
It wasn’t clear whether the account was suspended or deleted by Twitter or Assange himself — or why or for how long. Twitter wasn’t commenting.
The official Wikileaks Twitter account was still live but wasn’t mentioning the Assange account.
An account purporting to be an alternative Assange account was claiming Twitter had deleted his official one ahead of a blockbuster story he’s preparing to break. There was no confirmation that Assange was authoring that alternative account — and that account has now been suspended by Twitter.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/julian-assanges-official-twitter-account-not-appearing-wikileaks/
“Several hooded men enter the office of Julian Assange lawyer Baltasar Garzón”
True Pundit – December 25, 2017
https://truepundit.com/several-hooded-men-enter-office-julian-assange-lawyer-baltasar-garzon/
I wonder what the info he is about to release is?
Is it really Hillary at risk if the info is released?
Ad firms using tools to help them read your mind
NEW YORK (AFP) –
Why did you splurge on that new pair of shoes? Or that pricey smartphone? More and more advertisers are trying to tap into the unconscious to divine the invisible forces that drive those spending decisions.
Using gadgets to track eye movements, computer maps of faces to capture a momentary grin (approval) or squinting (anger), and sensors to measure perspiration or monitor brain activity, companies are mining consumers’ raw emotions for information.
Traditionally, ad firms have measured the success of their campaigns through consumer surveys, but that technique has its limits.
http://www.france24.com/en/20171224-ad-firms-using-tools-help-them-read-mind
‘I want to help humans genetically modify themselves’
Former Nasa biochemist Josiah Zayner became an online sensation by conducting DIY gene therapy on himself. He explains why he did it
Josiah Zayner, 36, recently made headlines by becoming the first person to use the revolutionary gene-editing tool Crispr to try to change their own genes. Part way through a talk on genetic engineering, Zayner pulled out a syringe apparently containing DNA and other chemicals designed to trigger a genetic change in his cells associated with dramatically increased muscle mass. He injected the DIY gene therapy into his left arm, live-streaming the procedure on the internet.
The former Nasa biochemist, based in California, has become a leading figure in the growing “biohacker” movement, which involves loose collectives of scientists, engineers, artists, designers, and activists experimenting with biotechnology outside of conventional institutions and laboratories.
Despite warnings from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that selling gene therapy products without regulatory approval is illegal, Zayner sells kits that allow anyone to get started with basic genetic engineering techniques, and has published a free guide for others who want to take it further and experiment on themselves.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/dec/24/josiah-zayner-diy-gene-editing-therapy-crispr-interview
DIY Human CRISPR Myostatin Knock-Out
Putin critic Navalny clears first hurdle in bid for Russia presidency
MOSCOW, Dec 24 (Reuters) – Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny cleared the first hurdle on Sunday towards taking part in next year’s presidential election, even though the central election commission has previously ruled him ineligible to run.
Navalny, 41, is a fierce opponent of President Vladimir Putin, who is widely expected to win re-election in March, extending his 17 years in power.
On Sunday Navalny, a veteran campaigner against corruption among Russia’s elite, won the initial support of 742 people at a gathering in a district of Moscow, above the minimum 500 required to initiate a presidential bid.
“There is no large-scale support for Putin and his rule in this country,” Navalny told the gathering, describing himself as a “real candidate” for the election and threatening a boycott of the vote by his supporters if he is barred from running.
http://news.trust.org/item/20171224120239-wf1ct
Thousands Rally for Kremlin Critic Alexei Navalny’s Presidential Candidacy
Though deemed ineligible to run in next year’s election, Russian opposition leader draws fierce support
MOSCOW—Thousands of supporters of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny gathered across the country Sunday to back his independent bid to challenge President Vladimir Putin in next year’s election.
Despite having been declared ineligible to run by election officials in the March 2018 vote, Mr. Navalny has chosen to leverage his street-level support among Russia’s opposition to challenge the tightly run electoral system.
At a rally in Moscow, Mr. Navalny addressed Mr. Putin, blaming him for the country’s economic woes: “You are a bad president…We are challenging you in this election and we intend to win.”
https://www.wsj.com/articles/thousands-rally-for-kremlin-critic-alexei-navalnys-presidential-candidacy-1514130913
Despite Trump’s hopes, US-Russia relations are getting chilly
Washington (CNN)In the space of a week, the Trump administration has named Russia a “rival power,” sanctioned a close Putin ally, and decided to give Ukraine anti-tank weapons to help in its fight against Moscow-backed militias.
It’s a series of steps that has been paired with tougher rhetoric from the State Department about Moscow’s destabilizing activities in eastern Ukraine, and serious charges from the Pentagon that Russia is intentionally violating de-confliction agreements in Syria.
The slew of actions highlights a decided turn away from the warmer, more cooperative relationship with Russia that President Donald Trump called for during his campaign and early in his presidency.
As Trump nears the one-year mark in office, a number of factors have intruded on those plans. He has been hemmed in by the domestic political constraint of an ongoing investigation into Russia’s interference with the 2016 election, as well as a widespread distrust of Russia and its continuing cyber activities that persists among the intelligence community, diplomats, the Pentagon and lawmakers.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/24/politics/trump-us-russia-chill/index.html
Thanks, CNN!
The Guardian – Back to home
FBI investigates Russian-linked Cyprus bank accused of money laundering
Request for financial information may be connected to inquiries into possible conspiracy between Trump and Kremlin
The FBI has asked officials in Cyprus for financial information about a defunct bank that was used by wealthy Russians with political connections and has been accused by the US government of money laundering, two sources have told the Guardian.
The request for information about FBME Bank comes as Cyprus has emerged as a key area of interest for Robert Mueller, the US special counsel who is investigating a possible conspiracy between Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and the Kremlin.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/24/fbi-investigates-russian-linked-cyprus-bank-accused-of-money-laundering
Guatemala Announces Plans to Move Israeli Embassy to Jerusalem
Following in the footsteps of President Trump, Guatemala’s leader announces his country will also move its embassy to Jerusalem.
Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales took to Twitter Sunday and saids he made the decision after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He also instructed the country’s foreign ministry to move its embassy from its current location in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Guatemala was one of only a few United Nations member countries to vote against a resolution denouncing the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
http://www.oann.com/guatemala-announces-plans-to-move-israeli-embassy-to-jerusalem/
Bahrain sentences six to death for ‘assassination plot’ (france24, Dec 25, 2017)
http://www.france24.com/en/20171225-bahrain-sentences-six-death-assassination-plot
“Bahrain’s top military court sentenced six men to death on Monday after convicting them of charges including plotting to assassinate the Gulf state’s armed forces chief, state media reported.
It was the first official mention of any plot against the life of Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, who is a member of the ruling family, but the Bahrain News Agency gave no further details of when or where it was alleged to have taken place.
Tiny but strategic Bahrain has been gripped by unrest for years as its Sunni royal family has resisted demands from its Shiite majority for a constitutional monarchy with an elected prime minister.
A judicial source told AFP that all six of those sentenced to death on Monday were Shiites…”
Christmas greetings, 2017
By J.E. Dyer December 24, 2017
The world lies in solemn stillness, if we listen to our hearts and not the noise around us. We are coming to the end of a remarkable year. The sun is at its lowest ebb, for those of us in the Northern hemisphere. Storm clouds come, but starlight too. The music of the past is never far away.
Somehow we know that we are leaving a past behind us that we will not live in again. There are many good memories to cherish from it. They will all be redeemed, I am confident of that. But it’s the future we face now: a future of some uncertainty, to be sure, but of great hope.
In the last couple of years, we’ve gone over and over the political amazement of our time. For Christians, Christmas is a time to reconnect with the eternal: to stand in our spirits on the highest mountain of eternity and survey in wonder a spreading light.
I think, with many, that what we are seeing in the world of our time is a profound shift that only God Himself can schedule. We haven’t seen its like for perhaps 2,000 years. Perhaps it’s even more.
https://libertyunyielding.com/2017/12/24/christmas-greetings-2017/
‘10,000 refugees’ to be relocated from Libya to EU in 2018 (gulfnews, Dec 24, 2017)
http://gulfnews.com/news/europe/italy/10-000-refugees-to-be-relocated-from-libya-to-eu-in-2018-1.2146268
“Rome: Up to 10,000 people stranded in refugee camps and detention centres in Libya could be relocated to Europe in 2018, the Italian government said on Sunday.
The initiative would be part of an attempt by European Union (EU) countries to address the deteriorating conditions in Libya, where thousands of people are held captive in inhumane conditions.
“In 2018, up to 10,000 refugees will be able to come to Europe without risk, through humanitarian corridors,” Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti said in an interview with the newspaper La Repubblica…”
Yemeni army pushes into Baydha after Shabwa liberation (gulfnews, Dec 25, 2017)
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/yemen/yemeni-army-pushes-into-baydha-after-shabwa-liberation-1.2146662
“Yemeni government forces have thrust further into the central province of Baydha after taking complete control of the neighbouring Shabwa province, Yemen’s Defence Ministry said.
Government forces liberated two districts in Baydha following fierce clashes with the Iran-backed Al Houthis, who fled to their shrinking territories in the province. The ministry said in a statement on its official website that Al Houthis suffered heavy losses in Natea and Noaman districts, and government forces were securing their positions before heading to new areas. Loyalists, backed by intensive air cover and military advisers from the Saudi-led coalition, rolled into the province of Baydha from Shabwa on Sunday for the first time after taking control of a mountainous road linking the two provinces.
On Sunday, Brigadier General Abdo Abdullah Majili, a Yemeni army spokesperson, officially announced ousting Al Houthis from the remaining mountains under their control in Bayhan and Ouselan districts in the province of Shabwa. “The national army and resistance fighters have completely cleared Shabwa from Al Houthis and are now fighting their way into Baydha,” Majili told Gulf News by telephone…”
The topography of Yemen is a toughie.
While 80% could be reduced to rubble fairly easily, other regions are much more complex. Mountains, ravines, cave complexes. Networks built with Hezbollah/NorK engineering expertise.
It’s served as the base for AQAP [or AQIAP] – al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Top command, the most skilled weapons tards, others. Capacity for projecting terror far outside the ME.
4 children at Oman nursery beaten up by teacher (gulfnews, Dec 25, 2017)
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/oman/4-children-at-oman-nursery-beaten-up-by-teacher-1.2146620
“The Seeb Criminal Court has reviewed a case involving two Arab women suspected of using violence against four children at a nursery.
The incident took place in the Seeb province of Muscat governorate last month.
One of the parents approached the police and complained about the incident after finding out that his four-year-old daughter had some bruises on her body.
The police referred the matter to the Public Prosecution for further investigation.
The prosecution obtained CCTV footage from the nursery.
The footage showed the first defendant, a teacher, slapping, beating and pulling the hair of four children at the nursery. Using violence against children is a serious felony as per Oman’s Child Law.
The second suspect, the principal of the nursery, was charged with hiding the visual evidence from the authorities.
The footage was shown during the court proceedings.
The judge has adjourned the case to January for further hearings from other witnesses.
Very few instances of alleged corporal punishment at nurseries and schools have been reported in the country.”
France’s Macron Submits to the Arab World
A Gentle Christmas Day Word of Caution
by Giulio Meotti
December 25, 2017 at 5:00 am
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/11599/france-macron-arab-world
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France’s Macron Submits to the Arab World
A Gentle Christmas Day Word of Caution
by Giulio Meotti
December 25, 2017 at 5:00 am
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/11599/france-macron-arab-world
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In Abu Dhabi, members of the victorious Israeli judo team were recently made to mount the winners’ podium without their own anthem and flag. A few days later, French President Emmanuel Macron landed in Abu Dhabi, where he denounced as liars those who say that “that Islam is built by destroying the other monotheisms”. Macron did not raise an eyebrow about the anti-Semitism and racism displayed by the Emirati authorities. Macron merely praised Islam in a country that punishes with death those Muslims who convert to Christianity or profess atheism.
At the French naval base in Abu Dhabi on November 8-9, addressing some businessmen, Macron insisted on the importance of the alliance with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as an “essential partner with whom we share the same vision of the region and obvious common interests”. Such effusion seems more than the usual language of diplomacy. Macron is now showing a strategic empathy and commitment to the Arab-Islamic world. Is this statement a prelude to submission?
Far from defending the Judeo-Christian values ??on which France, the West and Europe itself was founded — such as individual liberties, freedom of expression, separation of the church from the state and the judiciary, and equal justice under the law — Macron in the last few weeks launched an apology for Islam before Arab-Muslim dignitaries.
Iranian Judiciary Insists on Pursuing Ahmadinejad (aawsat, Dec 25, 2017)
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1123501/iranian-judiciary-insists-pursuing-ahmadinejad
“Iranian judiciary insists pursuing former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who faces charges of corruption. Judicial spokesman Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei rejected Friday prayers’ leader proposal for arbitration between between the judiciary and Ahmadinejad, following days of exchanged accusations between the two sides through the media.
Last week, Ahmadinejad launched unprecedented criticism of Iran’s judiciary, particularly the head of the judiciary, Sadeq Larijani.
Larijani, according to Ahmadinejad, is a “greedy, land-grabbing tyrant” and a totally “unjust” figure who should immediately resign as chief-justice, otherwise the whole ruling system would collapse.
The judiciary was among the institutions highly criticized by President Hassan Rouhani who accused it of blocking his government’s efforts in fighting corruption, however tensions between the two subsided after Rouhani’s second presidential term.
The dispute between the judiciary and Ahmadinejad peaked after the judiciary summoned a number of Ahmadinejad’s aides and advisers over the past three months and charged them with various charges including corruption and propaganda against the regime.
Ahmadinejad’s group denied the charges, accusing the judiciary of politicizing the issues, settling personal disagreement between Speaker Ali Larijani and head of the judiciary Sadeq Larijani on one side and Ahmadinejad on the other.
Earlier, Iran’s Guardian Council rejected Ahmadinejad’s request and his assistant Hamid Baghaei for the presidential election.
On Sunday, Mohseni-Ejei said that the justice system is determined to face criminals, referring to Ahmadinejad’s criticisms, Mohseni-Ejei said that “the hype” will not prevent the legal course from being followed, justifying the delay in facing Ahmadinejad’s behavior with “wisdom” without giving further details.
“Some say we should refer these to medical jurisprudence to determine their mental capabilities. If we are to refer someone to medical jurisprudence, we will do it,” he added.
Mohseni-Ejei also commented on Friday prayers’ leader proposal Mohammad Emami Kashani for the formation of an arbitration committee to discuss the issues raised by Ahmadinejad against the judiciary, saying that nothing like that has been discussed.
Regarding holding a public trial for Ahmadinejad, Mohseni-Ejei said that public and non-public trials have their own conditions and the court hadn’t been formed yet, describing it as a “secondary issue.”
Last month, Ahmadinejad sent an open letter to Iranian leader Ali Khamenei demanding that his judicial file be referred to the former president of Iran’s judiciary, Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi.
Over the past two weeks, the former president posted two recordings on his website criticizing Iran’s justice system.
Judges considered Ahmadinejad’s behavior an attempt to evade legal accountability, but Ejei denied that Ahmadinejad’s use of recordings could prevent prosecution on charges of spreading lies…”
Turkey Investigates Assassination Plots against Dissidents (aawsat, Dec 25. 2017)
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1122661/turkey-investigates-assassination-plots-against-dissidents
“Amid indications of efforts to improve the already strained relations between Turkey and Germany and the Netherlands, the public prosecutor in Ankara opened an investigation into information revealed by opposition lawmakers about plots to track and assassinate Turkish dissidents living in Europe.
Member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party of Turkey (HDP), MP Garo Paylan said during a parliamentary press meeting that he had received a tip-off about plans to assassinate Turkish citizens who oppose Turkey’s ruling regime and who are living in Europe.
According to Paylan, those dissidents include academics, journalists and opposition politicians, many of whom live in Germany.
Following Paylan’s remarks, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement that it had launched an investigation into the claims, calling on the HDP deputy to testify as a witness.
“I received intelligence last week over plans to assassinate several Turkish citizens living in Europe, especially in Germany. I have verified the information from multiple sources,” Paylan said.
The MP’s statement coincided with the pro-government’s journalist Jam KuKuk’s calling for killing Turkish journalists in Europe for alleged links to exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of masterminding a failed coup attempt in July 15, 2016. Gulen has denied the charges.
Turkish authorities arrested more than 60,000 people in a campaign following the failed coup attempt and dismissed over 160,000 others from various state institutions for alleged links to Gulen.
The campaign of arrests also included a number of Kurdish supporters in political, media and university circles. Thousands have fled Turkey to escape the possibility of their arrest for alleged links to the attempted coup.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly accused Germany of becoming “a haven for terrorists,” such as the supporters Gulen and the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)…”
Chinese company to develop big oil field near Iraqi capital (middleeasteye, Dec 25, 2017)
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/chinese-company-develop-big-oil-field-near-iraqi-capital-2132218702
“A Chinese state-run company, ZhenHua Oil, will develop an oil field near Baghdad under an accord with Iraq, the oil ministry said Sunday.
A ministry spokesman told AFP the target was to produce 40,000 barrels per day from the southern sector of the East Baghdad field within five years of implementation of the accord between ZhenHua and Iraq’s Midland Oil Company.
Iraqi oil officials have estimated the East Baghdad field, a “super giant” with around eight billion barrels of crude reserves, has the potential to produce 120,000 barrels of oil per day…”
4.9% of Iraqi population are child labourers (memo, Dec 25, 2017)
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171225-4-9-of-iraqi-population-are-child-labourers/
“Some 4.9 per cent of the Iraqi population are working children, the Iraqi Planning and Development Cooperation Ministry revealed on Sunday.
At the beginning of this month, Iraq’s federal government announced the results of its latest census, noting that the country’s population was 37 million.
“Working children aged between 5 and 17 years forms 4.9 per cent, including 7.1 males and 2.5 females,” a statement reported by Anadolu Agency said.
Since the American invasion of the country in 2003, child labour has been increasing steadily. It hiked from 4 per cent to 8 per cent in 2009 but dropped in subsequent years.
For several years, child protection organisations have reported a widespread increase in child labour and called for the federal government to address this problem…”
Three Turkish soldiers killed in PKK attack (memo, Dec 25, 2017)
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171225-three-turkish-soldiers-killed-in-pkk-attack/
“Two soldiers were killed and another was wounded in an attack by Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants which took place as the troops were carrying out security operations in the southeastern province of Hakkari, Reuters reported on Monday.
Separately, one soldier was killed and two others were wounded on Sunday in northern Iraq when a grenade detonated by accident, the military said. The wounded soldiers were not in critical condition, it added.
The PKK, considered a terrorist organisation by the United States, Turkey and the European Union, has waged an insurgency against the state since the 1980s. Violence in the largely Kurdish southeast has escalated since the collapse of a ceasefire in 2015.”
Mideast Monitor is like CNN or Press TV.
Saudi-Led Coalition Destroys Ballistic Missile Before Launch in Yemen – Reports (sputniknews, Dec 25, 2017)
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201712251060307907-saudi-coalition-ballistic-missile-destroys/
“An airstrike of the coalition led by Saudi Arabia killed over 50 Houthi rebels in western Yemen and destroyed a ballistic missile before it could be launched, Sky News Arabia reported on Monday.
According to the media outlet, over 50 militants were killed in the coalition’s airstrike targeting military reinforcements in Al Jarahi and Hays, as well the vicinity of At Tuhayat district.
The missile and its launch pad were reportedly destroyed near Ras Isa port, the probable target was not specified.
The coalition’s airstrikes hit the western suburbs of Yemen’s capital Sanaa, controlled by the Houthis…”
BREAKING: Man dies in Christmas Eve attack in Middlesbrough in front of horrified diners (express, Dec 25, 2017)
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/896547/mIddlesbrough-christmas-eve-restaurant-attack-Cleveland-police
“A 41-year-old, who was stabbed in a restaurant on Christmas Eve, has died, police have said.
Mazhar Ali, from Stockton, Teesside, was attacked in the Manjaros restaurant on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, and died in hospital on Christmas Day.
Cleveland Police said a 20-year-old man was in police custody in relation to the attack.
Mr Ali had been treated in the James Cook University Hospital and he was said to have been in a critical condition after the 3.40pm incident.
The premises will not be open for the next few days, the force said.
Manjaros serves a fusion of African and Caribbean food and was due to feed homeless people on Christmas Day.
According to reports, customers were urgently asked to leave the restaurant midway through their meals.
Police cordoned off an alleyway behind the premises.”
Hungarian Christmas Message: ‘We’ll Protect Christian Culture, Not Retreat Behind Concrete Blocks and Watch Our Women Harassed on New Year’s’ (breitbart, Dec 25, 2017)
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/12/25/hungarians-pms-christmas-message-want-protect-christian-culture-not-retreat-behind-concerete-blocks-watch-daughters-harassed-new-years/
“Viktor Orbán has used his annual Christmas message to call on Europeans to protect their Christian culture, and vowed Hungary will not “retreat behind concrete blocks” at Christmas and watched its women and daughters “harassed in the New Year’s Eve crowd” like its multicultural neighbours.
“Christianity is culture and civilization. We live in it. It is not about how many people go to church or how many pray honestly. Culture is the reality of everyday life… Christian culture defines our everyday morals,” wrote the Fidesz leader, in an article published in Magyar Id?k.
Orbán took aim at the enemies of his ‘country first’ policies, who say he cannot claim to be Christians if he will not allow “millions from other continents to settle into Europe” in accordance with the commandment to “love thy neighbour as thyself”.
“They forget the second part of the commandment,” observed Orbán: “To love ourselves.”
The conservative heavyweight explained: “Loving ourselves also means taking and protecting all that we are and who we are. To love ourselves means that we love our country, our nation, our family, Hungarian culture and European civilization.”
“Fundamentals of European life are now under attack,” the Hungarian leader continued, alluding to the difficulties faced by countries such as Britain, France, and Germany, which have all pursued policies of mass migration and state-sponsored multiculturalism.
“Regardless of whether we are going to church or not, and if so, to which we are going, we do not want to celebrate the sacrament just behind the curtains so as not to violate the sensitivity of others,” he declared.
“We don’t want our Christmas markets to be renamed, and we definitely don’t want to retreat behind concrete blocks. We don’t want our Christmas masses to be surrounded by fear and distress. We don’t want our women, our daughters to be harassed in the New Year’s Eve crowd.”
Prime Minister Orbán added a warning against the forces which seek to deliberately weaken Christianity in Europe, which he described as a kind of cultural “immune system” — unnoticed while it is strong, correctly, but leaving the entire body politic weak when it is vulnerable.
“They want us to stop being who we are. They want us to become those who we don’t want to be. They want us to mix with people from another world, and to change in order to make diversity trouble-free,” he said.
“The free nations of Europe, the national governments elected by the free citizens, have a new task: to protect our Christian culture.
“Not for others, but for ourselves; for our families, for our nation, for our countries, and for the ‘homeland of our homeland’ — for the defence of Europe.””
“BUS DRIVER PLOWS INTO CROWD IN MOSCOW, KILLING FIVE” Infowars – December 25, 2017
https://www.infowars.com/bus-driver-plows-into-crowd-in-moscow-killing-five/
Winston Churchill – Christmas Message, 1941
https://www.nationalchurchillmuseum.org/christmas-message.html
“Churchill And Roosevelt Christmas Speech (1941)”
British Pathé – Published April 13, 2014
We went to see Darkest Hour last week and I highly recommend it. If you saw Dunkirk this pairs well.
Merry Christmas
Afghan Migrant Found Dead By Side of the Road in Calais (breitbart, Dec 25, 2017)
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/12/25/afghan-migrant-found-dead-side-road-calais/
“An Afghan migrant was found dead by the side of the road in Calais in an apparent hit and run as investigators search for a potential suspect in the case…”
Swedish Criminologist Admits ‘Sharp Increase’ in Violent Crime (breitbart, Dec 25, 2017)
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/12/25/swedish-criminologist-admits-sharp-increase-violent-crime/
“Swedish criminology professor Jerzy Sarnecki claims that Sweden has seen a “sharp increase” in violent crime in recent years and the lack of resources for police could exasperate the problem.
Professor Sarnecki made the comments after five men were released from jail following a court case in which they were accused of gang rape. Police officers involved in the case were heavily criticised for the time it took them to investigate the incident which Sarnecki said was indicative of their lack of resources, Swedish broadcaster SVT reports.
“The police’s resources are extremely limited, so some cases will be allowed to lie dormant,” Sarnecki said. He added: “We have a situation where we have seen a sharp increase in very serious violent crimes. So many of the resources go to those crimes, and then the others will be prioritised.”
The men in the alleged gang rape case were let off due to the fact the police could not produce sufficient evidence to allow prosecutors to prove the woman did not have sex with the men voluntarily. “With the strained police resources we have today, these kinds of cases may increase,” Sarnecki said.
Violent crimes, especially deadly shootings, have drastically increased in Sweden over the last six years. According to the National Board of Sweden’s Cause of Death register, deadly shootings have doubled in the last nine years.
The Swedish criminal statistics agency Brå has noted a sharp increase in deadly shootings over the last year as well.
A lack of resources for police has been evident in several cases this year. In southern Lapland, an area close to the size of Denmark, police have been limited to only one patrol car.
In no-go zones, like the heavily migrant-populated Stockholm suburbs, police presence is declining as the only police station in the Järva area is set to close due to a lack of staff.
Breitbart London reported last year that many Swedish police officers were considering quitting the force entirely due to pay disputes and dangerous work conditions. Incidents like the police station bombing in Helsingborg in October are unlikely to improve police morale.”
Nigerian army says it repels suspected Boko Haram militant attack (reuters, Dec 25, 2017)
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-nigeria-security/nigerian-army-says-it-repels-suspected-boko-haram-militant-attack-idUKKBN1EJ0T5?rpc=401&
“Nigeria’s army said it had repelled an attack on Monday by suspected Boko Haram militants on the city at the centre of the conflict with the Islamist insurgency.
Major General Nicholas Rogers, who heads Nigeria’s military operations against Boko Haram, told Reuters that the situation in Maiduguri, in the northeast of Nigeria, was under control.
He did not give further details…”
Turkish court keeps opposition newspaper staff in jail during trial (reuters, Dec 25, 2017)
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-turkey-security-newspaper/turkish-court-keeps-opposition-newspaper-staff-in-jail-during-trial-idUKKBN1EJ0RG?rpc=401&
“A Turkish judge ordered four prominent journalists and senior staff from the opposition Cumhuriyet newspaper to remain in jail for at least two more months during their trial, accused of supporting the organisers of last year’s failed coup.
Editor in chief Murat Sabuncu, attorney Akin Atalay, correspondent Ahmet Sik and accountant Emre Iper, some of whom have already been detained for 14 months, were ordered to be jailed until the next session of their trial on March 9…”
President Obama in 2015 celebrated our Christian heritage at a memorial service, movingly singing ‘Amazing Grace’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S58k3ZXRJJc
( and Valerie Jarrett’s memory of her role….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV_PF5q7Nw0 )
At least 10 countries discussing embassy move to Jerusalem, says deputy foreign minister
At least 10 countries besides the US and Guatemala are considering recognizing Jerusalem as the Israel capital and possibly moving their embassies there, Deputy Minister Hotovely says.
By: Andrew Friedman/TPS and World Israel News Staff
Since Guatemala’s announcement Monday that it will follow the US and move its embassy to Jerusalem, at least 10 more countries are in talks with the Israelis about doing the same, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely told Israel Radio.
She declined to say which countries were involved, but “noted that several of the talks are just beginning, while others are further along,” Ha’aretz reported.
https://worldisraelnews.com/guatemalas-embassy-move-no-less-than-the-beginning-of-israels-victory/?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Netanyahu%3A+%27God+Bless+You%27+Guatemala%21+10+More+Countries+Consider+Jerusalem+Embassy+Move%3B+Saudis%2C+US+Look+to+Oust+Abbas&utm_campaign=20171225_m143244609_Netanyahu%3A+%27God+Bless+You%27+Guatemala%21+10+More+Countries+Consider+Jerusalem+Embassy+Move%3B+Saudis%2C+US+Look+to+Oust+Abbas&utm_term=_0A_09_09_09_09_09_09_09_09_09Read+Now_0A_09_09_09_09_09_09_09_09
US troops in Afghanistan to ‘increase dramatically’ in 2018 – general (RT, Dec 26, 2017)
https://www.rt.com/usa/414291-more-troops-afghanistan-general/
“More American troops will be headed to Afghanistan in the new year, the top US general in Kabul told reporters. Increased numbers of US advisers will be backed by combat troops as well.
There are over 1,000 advisers out with Afghan forces at any given time, General John W. Nicholson Jr. told reporters Sunday. “Next year, however, this will increase dramatically.”…”