Contributor’s Links post for January 8th, 2019

Daily Links Post graphic

Each day at just after midnight Eastern, a post like this one is created for contributors and readers of this site to upload news links and video links on the issues that concern this site. Most notably, Islam and its effects on Classical Civilization, and various forms of leftism from Soviet era communism, to postmodernism and all the flavours of galloping statism and totalitarianism such as Nazism and Fascism which are increasingly snuffing out the classical liberalism which created our near, miraculous civilization the West has been building since the time of Socrates.

This document was written around the time this site was created, for those who wish to understand what this site is about. And while our understanding of the world and events has grown since then, the basic ideas remain sound and true to the purpose.

So please post all links, thoughts and ideas that you feel will benefit the readers of this site to the comments under this post each day. And thank you all for your contributions.

This is the new Samizdat. We muse use it while we can.

About Eeyore

Canadian artist and counter-jihad and freedom of speech activist as well as devout Schrödinger's catholic

135 Replies to “Contributor’s Links post for January 8th, 2019”

    • Ah yup. Yust finished reading reading about it. If we’ve got an evidentiary paper trail, then they’ve got their tït in the Bendix. The timing of Trump’s Iranian sanctions crackdown puts some Swiss watches to shame.

      It’s kinda like that old financial joke: Normally, I wouldn’t mind inflation so much … but why does have to hit just now, right when prices are so high?!?

      With Tehran in the crosshairs, it might read like this: The mullahs really wouldn’t be bothered by Trump’s sanctions … if only they weren’t happening right now when they’ve got disgruntled* Iranians rioting in the streets.

      * When a disgruntled person calms down, are they then merely “gruntled”? What I really want to know is why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways? How is it that something sent by car is called a “shipment” but freight sent by ship is called “cargo”? After all, why does the porridge bird lay its eggs in the air?

  1. “French democracy.”

    During the latest demonstration of Yellow Vests, (5th of January)one of the yellow vest people, a professional boxer and light heavyweight French champion, Mr. Dettinger, attacked the police. He did it because, as he stated on the You Tube, he got angry after police officers used batons and tear gas spray on his wife , his friends and other people during peaceful demonstration.

    He will be charged with an assault.

    However in an hours after Mr. Dettinger surrendered to police, people started a collection of money to cover his legal fees and the costs incurred by his family. The account was opened at Leetchi.com. After two days the amount collected was 117 000 euro (8000 people paid). Nevertheless, after the pressure from the government Leechi.com (who belongs to a bank Crédit Mutuel )announced that it confiscated the whole collected amount and will pay only for legal costs after the invoices for that costs will be presented.
    The Leechi.com explanation was that they” prohibit any incitement to hatred or violence. In view of the acts alleged against Christophe Dettinger, no other use of the money can be accepted.”
    ***************
    following is the link to Leechi.com and their explanation why they suspended the collection.
    https://blog.leetchi.com/cagnotte-christophe-dettinger/

    • Theft.

      Only a matter of time before Google announce gmail will be withdrawn from such individuals…

  2. Former Facebook employees compared the company to a “cult,” in interviews with CNBC, with one declaring, “Even if you are fucking miserable, you need to act like you love this place.”
    CNBC compiled a number of similar comments from former Facebook employees, Tuesday, who likened the Big Tech company to a “cult,” where they always had to pretend to be enjoying themselves.

    “There’s a real culture of ‘Even if you are f—ing miserable, you need to act like you love this place,’” claimed one former employee. “It is not OK to act like this is not the best place to work.”

    “I never felt it was an environment that truly encouraged ‘authentic self’ and encouraged real dissent because the times I personally did it, I always got calls,” declared a former manager.

    https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/01/08/former-facebook-employees-compare-company-to-cult/

    • ‘Fess up. When Groening nails it, he really nails it. Just substitute Zuckerberg for Bart Simpson.

  3. Iran’s Establishment Stronger than Ever: Judiciary Chief (tasnimnews, jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2019/01/08/1918118/iran-s-establishment-stronger-than-ever-judiciary-chief

    “TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani highlighted the futility of enemies’ plots against the country’s Islamic Establishment over the past 40 years and said despite all hostile attempts, the Islamic Republic is “more powerful than ever before”…”

  4. BUSINESS
    CULTURE
    CANADIAN NEWS
    Home Editorial
    Six ways Justin Trudeau will try to deceive voters on the border crisis during the 2019 election
    Cosmin Dzsurdzsa by Cosmin Dzsurdzsa January 8, 2019in Editorial, Opinion, Politics
    Liberal inaction on illegal migrants to cost Canadians $1.1 billion
    239
    SHARES
    Before heading into another election I thought it would be a public service to point out our prime minister’s manipulative tendencies when it comes to the refugee crisis.

    With the help of Toronto immigration lawyer Sergio Karas from Karas Immigration Law, I was able to arrive at the following six tactics.

    Take this as a warning and use this as a guide to know that the government is deceiving you.

    Despite the fact that illegal crossings are taking place on a daily basis, the federal government has failed to curb the influx of illegal immigrants. Instead, the Liberals have devoted taxpayer funds to expedite the crossing process, including building temporary shelters and making it easier for people to cross into Canada and handing out hush money to residents most affected by the crisis.

    Most Canadians believe there is, in fact, a crisis.

    “This is going to be a big issue in the election, the reason is because the public has lost confidence in the immigration system. That’s not good. It’s never good, when the public loses confidence in the government,” said Sergio Karas.

    You just have to look to Toronto to be able to tell that it’s a crisis. The local and provincial governments are at at their wit’s end trying to accommodate the influx of refugees, and the homeless shelters are overflowing.

    https://www.thepostmillennial.com/six-ways-justin-trudeau-will-try-to-deceive-voters-on-the-border-crisis-during-the-2019-election/

  5. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib at a “pro-Jihad” rally
    January 08, 2019
    Screen Shot 2019-01-08 at 7.41.11 AM.png
    Look at all those foreign flags… this rally could have taken place anywhere in the middle east, except that this is Detroit, 2014. And the woman speaking is now a member of the United States Congress.

    This is Democrat Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, who is notorious for having called President Donald Trump a mother f**ker recently. This is her at a “pro-Jihad” rally aimed at destroying the Jewish state, America’s closest ally in the middle east. The rally was put together by a group linked to HAMAS – aka “The Islamic Resistance Movement.”

    What? Do you think those silly Democrats came up with that “resistance” thing all by themselves?

    https://www.jerseyconservative.org/blog/2019/1/8/congresswoman-rashida-tlaib-at-a-pro-jihad-rally

  6. NEW DELHI (AFP) – India’s Lower House passed on Tuesday (Jan 8) legislation that will grant citizenship to members of certain religious minorities, but not Muslims, sparking protests in the country’s north-east.

    The Bill covers select groups – including Hindus, Christians and Sikhs – who moved from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and who have lived in India for at least six years.

    Muslims are excluded, in what critics say is a transparent pitch by Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi to voters as India gears up for elections due by May.

    The legislation, which still needs approval in the Upper House, sparked a second day of protests on Tuesday in the north-eastern state of Assam, where millions have settled in recent decades after fleeing neighbouring countries.

    Demonstrators in the state are angry about the Bill not because it excludes Muslims, but because it grants citizenship to settlers from elsewhere, accusing the migrants of taking away jobs from indigenous groups.

    https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/indian-mps-pass-contentious-citizenship-bill-that-excludes-muslims

  7. Egyptian singer Sherine Abdel Wahab faces court for ‘insulting Egypt’ (mee, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/popular-egyptian-singer-sherine-abdel-wahab-faces-charges-second-time-972379283

    “Popular Egyptian singer Sherine Abdel Wahab is facing charges for a second time after an Egyptian lawyer filed a complaint against her for making a comment described as “offensive to Egypt” during her New Year’s Eve performance.

    Abdel Wahab is reported to have said that Egypt does not deserve her during one of her performances. The comments by Abdel Wahab, who is known across the Arab world, sparked criticism.

    According to Egyptian paper Ahram Online, Samir Sabri, a lawyer well known for filing legal complaints against high-profile figures for inciting debauchery, said that the singer insulted Egypt in her comments.

    “If she [Abdel-Wahab] only knew that she is the silliest of vicious characters, she wouldn’t have insulted the great Egypt.”

    Sabri was one of the lawyers who filed a complaint against Egyptian actress Rania Youssef in December for wearing a revealing dress to the Cairo Film Festival. Youssef was accused of “inciting debauchery” and could face five years in prison if convicted…”

  8. Tucker Carlson – one of his best oratories, on the government’s culpability in creating generational poverty:

  9. Kurdish authorities in Iraq tortured children to extract IS confessions: HRW (mee, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/kurdish-authorities-tortured-children-extract-confessions-IS-hrw-2116923933

    “The Kurdistan Regional Government in northern Iraq has used torture to unlawfully extract confessions from children on alleged involvement with the Islamic State (IS) group, Human Rights Watch has alleged, an accusation a senior Kurdish official denied.

    The rights group said early Tuesday that nearly two dozen children reported being beaten, placed in stress positions and shocked with electricity by security officials, known as Asayish, in northern Iraq in 2017 and 2018.

    Most of the children said they were not allowed to meet with a lawyer and were forced to sign confessions written by Asayish officials that they were not allowed to read, HRW said.

    “My hands were bound and there were six or seven officers in the room. They were all hitting me. They hit my legs and upper arms,” a 17-year-old boy told the rights group.

    “Each day they gave me five electric shocks in a row, on my arms, chest, and upper legs. They said, ‘You need to say you were with ISIS, even if you weren’t you need to say it.'”

    HRW said it interviewed 20 boys aged 14-17 who were charged or convicted of being affiliated with IS.

    The group said it received the children’s testimonies during a visit by researchers to a detention centre in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region, in November 2018.

    At the time, HRW said 63 boys were being held at the facility, known as the Women and Children’s Reformatory, for alleged terrorism-related offences.

    The reformatory is one of three facilities holding children in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, HRW said.

    A senior Kurdish official denied allegations of torture and unfair treatment of the boys, however.

    Dindar Zebari, international affairs adviser to the Kurdish government, told AFP news agency that “HRW never visited” the detention centre.

    “No one can be arrested unless the judiciary authorises it. And any person who has been arrested is treated in accordance with the law,” he said, adding that the Kurdish government rejects the use of torture…”

  10. Ten men have gone on trial accused of grooming and sexually abusing two teenage girls in care.

    The alleged abuse is said to have begun in 2008 when both girls were 14 and living in a Bradford children’s home.

    Prosecutor Kama Melly QC told Bradford Crown Court the men used threats, violence, drink and drugs to sexually exploit the girls.

    The men deny a total of 25 offences, including allegations of rape and inciting child prostitution.

    Ms Melly said the men had “exploited and manipulated” the two girls, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

    She said: “They did so in a variety of ways, taking advantage of their youth and the situation [the girls] found themselves in, both just entering care and in really difficult circumstances.

    “Some of the defendants were actually forceful, threatening and violent, others used alcohol and drugs, others created a manipulated relationship in order to facilitate their sexual exploitation.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-46798902

  11. Iraq official warns residents of Samarra being forced out (memo, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190108-iraq-official-warns-residents-of-samarra-being-forced-out/

    “Residents of the Iraqi city of Samarra are being forced out of the area as a result of the “injustice, hunger and unemployment” they are experiencing there, an Iraqi official warned.

    of the The situation in the Iraqi city of Samarra in the province of Salah al-Din could explode like the city of Mosul if the demands of the city’s residents are not met, an Iraqi official warned.

    President of the Provincial Council of Saladin Governorate, in which Samarra is located, Ahmad Al-Karim said: “The city of Samarra could become a second Mosul as a result of the injustice, hunger and unemployment inflicted on the city’s residents by the religious and security administrations.”

    This, he added, as “prompted large numbers of them [residents] to leave in search of safer places where they can earn a living.”

    Al-Karim called on the authorities in Najaf – led by Shia cleric Ali Al-Sistani – to stop what he called the “injustice brought on Samarra’s residents” and to correct the situation before it “explodes”.”

  12. Saudi to accelerate propaganda war and rival Netflix in new streaming deal  (memo, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190108-saudi-to-accelerate-propaganda-war-and-rival-netflix-in-new-streaming-deal/

    “The propaganda war between rivals in the Middle East is set to become more heated with Saudi Arabia, which owns the largest video streaming service in the region, deciding to expand its media assets to challenge Netflix.

    With 140 million viewers every day across the Middle East, the Dubai based Saudi controlled MBC Group has revealed plans to launch a series of initiatives that will see an increase in productions; global content acquisitions; product and technology investments; and partnerships with leading eco-system participants.

    The initiative is seen to be part of Riyadh’s efforts to wage fierce propaganda wars against rivals Iran and Qatar. MBC is hoping that its pre-eminence in Arabic TV entertainment will help it catch up with Netflix and fend off other on-demand streaming services, such as Starz Play, Wavo and Amazon.

    MBC will hire new executives to broaden its digital and video on demand service, named Shahid, with plans to develop new Arabic content, the Financial Times reported citing people briefed in the plans.

    It signals Riyadh’s intent to win the propaganda war. MBC has already launched a production house, MBC Studios, which is working on new films and shows to feed the video service with historical biopics of Arab leaders and dramatizing folk tales such as “1,001 Arab Nights”. The Saudi satellite broadcaster also plans to buy content from the rest of the world.

    Commenting on the new initiative, MBC Group CEO was reported in technology news sites saying that the channel reached 140 million viewers every day across the Middle East and its new challenge was to “boost the volume of premium video content both from MBC Studios and further afield, to upgrade our technology and to extend our distribution”.

    MBC’s expansion is thought to be a potential challenge to Netflix’s regional dominance. The American streaming service fell out with the Saudi regime last week over an episode of a comedy show in which the Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salman, is mocked for the way he handled the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Pressure from Riyadh eventually forced producers to pull the show; a decision that was widely condemned.

    MBC Group came under majority government ownership last year in the wake of what was billed as an “anti-corruption” shakedown at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in November 2017. In a deal that was denounced as “extortion” the media group’s founder and chairman of its Board of Directors Waleed Al Ibrahim was released after relinquishing 60 per cent of MBC’s shares to the Saudi regime.

    This is a major shift in MBC’s traditional role. The group, founded in 1991, had been operating at arm’s length from government control which allowed space for it to air more liberal programmes than Saudi state television. This is all set to change under the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who is seeking to use the most popular media group in the region as a propaganda arm of Riyadh.

    Since the crown prince, known also as MBS, came to prominence, Saudi Arabia adopted a more aggressive posture on the global stage. Its financial muscle has been used to wage wars and counter opposition groups in the tumultuous region as well as to shape political debate through its media arm.

    According to the FT, Saudi Research & Marketing Group, a publisher controlled by the family of King Salman, has agreed to launch a news channel with Bloomberg, known as Bloomberg Asharq. Though speculation has grown about its future since Khashoggi’s killing, Nabeel Al-Khatib, project director for Bloomberg Asharq, was last week named general manager at a sister station of MBC, government-owned news channel Al Arabiya.”

  13. Shia group threatens to attack US forces in Iraq (memo, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190108-shia-group-threatens-to-attack-us-forces-in-iraq/

    “A pro-Iran militia group, the Asaib Ahl Al-Haq, yesterday threatened to hit US forces in Iraq if the government and parliament does not stop their deployment in the country.

    Group spokesman, Jawad Talibawi, said in a statement that the group had monitored deployments by US forces in the country.

    Earlier on Saturday, images of US Marine Corps Brigadier General Austin Renforth, commander of the Joint Operations Command in Iraq, touring the famous Mutanabi Street in central Baghdad accompanied by the city’s Commander of Operations Jalil Al-Rubaie went viral.”

  14. ‘Wanted individuals’ killed, arrested in Saudi Arabia (memo, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190108-wanted-individuals-killed-arrested-in-saudi-arabia/

    “Several “wanted individuals” were killed in a shootout with security forces in Saudi Arabia’s eastern Qatif province, Saudi authorities said Tuesday, Anadolu Agency reports.

    “Security forces conducted a preemptive operation in Qatif, which led to the killing of several wanted individuals and the arrest of a number of others,” Saudi Arabia’s Al-Arabiya satellite TV channel reported.

    Citing “well-informed sources”, the broadcaster added that the slain and arrested individuals had “posed a threat to the kingdom’s security”.

    Al-Arabiya provided no further details, while the Saudi authorities have yet to officially comment on the incident.

    Saudi Arabia’s Shia-majority Qatif province has been shaken in recent years by a number of pro-reform demonstrations.”

  15. Qatar passes law giving foreign investors full business ownership rights (alaraby, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/1/8/qatar-passes-law-allowing-foreign-investors-full-business-ownership

    “Qatar has passed a law which will grant foreigners full business ownership rights, as Doha moves to boost its economy amid a regional diplomatic crisis.

    Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani signed off on the legislation on Monday, the state-run Qatar News Agency reported.

    The law opens the field for foreign investors to take part in all economic activity with up to 100 percent ownership of the capital…”

  16. #SaveRahaf: Saudi women rekindle calls to end guardianship laws after runaway teenager grabs world’s attention (alaraby, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/1/8/saudi-women-rekindle-calls-to-end-oppressive-guardianship-laws

    “Saudi women have reignited calls for the end of oppressive guardianship laws in the wake of a highly-publicised case of a teenager who fled her family and is seeking asylum abroad.

    An Arabic-language hashtag meaning “end guardianship laws or else we will all migrate” has gained traction on Twitter in Saudi Arabia since Rahaf al-Qunun’s ordeal has made headlines.

    The case has brought the spotlight back on Saudi Arabia’s male guardianship laws, which require women the consent of a male relative to make decisions such as travelling.

    “Instead of promoting tourism and attracting investors, our diplomatic missions chase after runaway girls and then they are surprised by the media’s view of the political catastrophes that strike the country,” said one Twitter user.

    “All we want is the injustice against us to end and to feel a bit of freedom. This will not happen without the end of all the guardianship laws. We will not feel like a nation until the system ends and there is equality between us and men,” another user said…”

  17. Afghan Taliban cancel peace talks with U.S. citing ‘agenda disagreement’ (reuters, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-afghanistan-taliban/afghan-taliban-cancel-peace-talks-with-u-s-citing-agenda-disagreement-idUSKCN1P20BL

    “The Afghan Taliban said on Tuesday they had called off peace talks with U.S. officials in Qatar this week due to an “agenda disagreement”, especially over the involvement of Afghan officials as well as a possible ceasefire and prisoner exchange…”

  18. Egypt’s navy thwarts illegal migration attempt near Salloum (ahram, Jan 8, 2019)
    http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/321391/Egypt/Politics-/Egypts-navy-thwarts-illegal-migration-attempt-near.aspx

    “Egypt’s navy said on Tuesday that it has thwarted an illegal migration attempt by 29 people near the Egyptian-Libyan border crossing of Salloum, a statement by Egypt’s Armed Forces spokesperson Tamer El-Refai read.

    “A rapid naval unit was dispatched to catch a ship that carried 29 individuals of different nationalities attempting illegal migration,” the statement said.

    The spokesperson said that security forces had discovered a speedboat coming from the Libyan side carrying a number of individuals.

    “The naval forces carried out their tasks in securing and protecting the Egyptian maritime borders,” the statement said, adding that all the individuals were taken to the Salloum Marina to face legal action.

    Cairo has increasingly focused on the migration issue in recent years, working with European nations to tackle the problem.”

  19. Two-minutes Silence for Scandinavian Women ‘Beheaded’ in Morocco

    Hundreds of people observed two minutes of silence on Monday in Norway in honour of two Scandinavian women hikers murdered in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains in December.

    Standing in the cold with flags flying at half-mast at the University of South-Eastern Norway in the town of Bo, the participants gathered to remember 28-year-old Maren Ueland from Norway, and 24-year-old Dane Louisa Vesterager Jespersen. Both were both students there.

    The two women were killed at an isolated hiking spot south of Marrakesh overnight December 16-17, where they were vacationing. Their bodies were found the following day.

    The authorities have said they were beheaded and are calling the crime a “terrorist” act.

    The university addressed the murders with students on Monday morning as classes resumed after the Christmas break.

    “We talked with the students and tried not to understand what can’t be understood, but we tried to make it easier for the students to put words on what has happened,” Annette Bischoff, the head of the faculty where the two women were studying to be travel guides, told AFP.

    “This is very difficult for all of us, especially for the students who lived and studied with them,” she said.

    The Moroccan authorities have arrested a total of 22 people in connection with the murders. They include the four main suspects and a Spanish-Swiss man who had links to some of the suspects and who subscribed to “extremist ideology”, say Moroccan officials.

    The main suspects belonged to a cell inspired by Islamic State group ideology, but none of the four had contact with IS members in Syria or Iraq, Morocco’s counter-terror chief Abdelhak Khiam told AFP.

    https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/07/two-minutes-silence-for-scandinavian-women-beheaded-in-morocco/
    =============================================

  20. Morocco’s New Satellite Detects Polsiario’s Maneuvers in Western Sahara (moroccoworldnews, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/01/262763/moroccos-new-satellite-detects-polsiarios-maneuvers-in-western-sahara/

    “Morocco’s Mohammed VI-B surveillance satellite detected Polisario’s provocative maneuvers on Sunday, January 6, in Mehriz, a town east of Morocco’s defense wall in Western Sahara.

    On Sunday, Polisario’s “army” carried out a military maneuver in the restricted region.

    The move will escalate tension between the front and Morocco. The United Nations is also expected to release a statement to express concerns over Polisario’s violation of the ceasefire agreement signed between the two parties in 1991.

    In addition to the military maneuvers, Polisario’s self-styled President Ibrahim Ghali also inaugurated facilities east of Morocco’s defense wall.

    The news agency of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)reported that Ghali chaired a ceremony on Monday to inaugurate an “administrative complex in the fourth military region” in Mehriz.

    After reporting on the inauguration ceremony, the separatist news agency deleted the publication; the article’s page now reads “Unfound Page.”

    The inauguration of the facilities is a blatant violation of UN resolutions which strongly warned against any action in buffer strips and the region east of Morocco’s defense wall.

    The violations came two months after the adoption of Resolution 2440 which clearly calls on Polisario to adhere to its commitments to the UN with respect to all restricted regions in Western Sahara.

    This is not the first time Moroccan military surveillance has detected Polisario’s provocative maneuvers in the region. In 2018, Morocco’s Mohammed VI-A satellite tracked Polisario’s movement and allegedly captured images of collusion between Polisario and Hezbollah. Morocco then cut diplomatic ties with Iran in May 2018.

    Launched in 2017, the Mohammed VI-A satellite is capable of taking 500 images daily.”

  21. Egyptian Cleric: No Death Penalty for Muslim Who Kills Non-Muslim; Blood of Muslims More Important

    During a January 7, 2017 address at the Al-Khulafa Al-Rashideen Mosque in Sixth of October City near Cairo, Egyptian cleric Samir Hashish referred to a hadith in Sahih Al-Bukhari that says that Muslims should not be put to death for killing infidels, and he said that some people use this hadith to justify killing non-Muslims.

    He explained that this is a distortion of the hadith, which actually only means that the death penalty may not be applied in such cases, while other punishments should still be applied.

    He added that Muslims are not put to death for killing infidels because their blood is worth more. The video was recently posted online.

  22. Morocco’s BCIJ Dismantles New ISIS Terror Cell in Eastern Morocco (moroccoworldnews, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/01/262695/morocco-bcij-terror-cell-morocco/

    “Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) dismantled a three-member ISIS cell on Tuesday in Nador and Driouch, two cities in eastern Morocco.

    The suspects, between the ages of 18 to 31, were active in eastern Morocco’s Rif region, according to a statement from the Ministry of the Interior.

    During the operation, BCIJ seized knives, hunting rifles, military suits, firearms, texts glorifying extremism, batteries, and electric wires.

    The ISIS cell was plotting terror attacks to undermine the security and stability of Morocco…”

  23. EU MP: Europe Would Gain from Further Integration with Morocco (moroccoworldnews, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/01/262728/eu-mp-europe-integration-morocco/

    “European MP, addressing the European commission in a written note, has said that Europe would benefit more from increased economic integration with Morocco than from only negotiating on select topics.

    Winning Morocco’s heart

    Inmaculada Rodriguez-Piniero Fernandez of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party said in her remarks to the EU commission that a number of Europe’s policy successes will need Morocco’s full cooperation.

    To ensure that the North African country is fully committed to its engagements with Europe, the EU should make bolder political moves in favor of Rabat. Fernandez suggested that Europe would gain stronger support and political will from its non-European neighbors should it succeed in demonstrating how sincerely committed it is to its own “good neighborhood” agenda.

    Noting the Euro-Mediterranean integration process launched in 2000, the Spanish MP urged Europe to create resources and opportunities through “sincere cooperation.”

    As far as Morocco is concerned, Fernandez proposed that Brussels pushes for further integration into the EU Single Market.

    Managing migration through opportunities

    In addition to bolstering Brussels-Rabat ties on a host of issues—mainly security, migration, agriculture, and food—accepting Rabat in the European common market would create more opportunities and development impetus in Morocco, Fernandez argued.

    Fernandez hopes that increased integration, including “legislative convergence,” economic integration, and strategic security cooperation, will be more effective in curbing irregular migration than tough policies operating solely on securing borders. Opportunities in migrants’ home countries or continent, not heavy-handed border policies, will convince more migrants to stay, Fernandez suggested.

    A strong EU and Spanish ally, Morocco has been an important partner for the European political club on migration and security issues. To seal their partnership and bring it to a higher dimension, Brussels and Rabat launched negotiations in March 2013 to “accelerate” economic integration.

    The goal was for Morocco to join the EU’s Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.

    “The overall goal of the negotiations is to create new trade and investment opportunities and ensure a better integration of Morocco’s economy into the EU single market. The DCFTA also aims at supporting ongoing economic reforms in Morocco and at bringing the Moroccan legislation closer to that of the EU in trade-related areas,” according to the EU commission. Negotiations are still ongoing.

    Fernandez’s call comes as Morocco pushes to get more benefits from its cooperation with Europe.

    Last week, Spanish media reported that, in addition to the financial and logistic support the EU promised Morocco on migration, the North African country is demanding cooperation on education. El Pais reported that Rabat sent Madrid “a list of demands in exchange for intensifying border control.”

    “In addition to the 140 million Euros the EU has promised Morocco, the Maghreb country is demanding aid to train workers in key sectors such as tourism and health,” the report explained.”

    • Spain Denies Citizenship to Another Moroccan for Lack of Integration (moroccoworldnews, Jan 8, 2019)
      https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/01/262738/spain-citizenship-moroccan/

      “A Spanish Court has ruled against granting citizenship to a Moroccan-born woman residing in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta because she lacks basic knowledge about Spain.

      The woman, who is married to a Spanish citizen and has lived in the country for nine years, does not have enough knowledge about Spain’s geography, customs, culture, and history, reported Spanish outlet El Faro de Ceuta on January 5.

      The outlet stated that although the 36-year-old woman is a mother and has lived in Spain for years, her poor mastery of the Spanish language and lack of integration was not “acceptable.”

      Late in December, Spain refused a Moroccan resident citizenship for similar reasons, such as “fundamental institutional and cultural ignorance,” and only maintaining relationships with people from his own culture.

      The Moroccan man born in Ceuta, married with children, had lived in other regions of Spain as well for years.

      In August 2018, the Spanish National Court’s Chamber also denied citizenship to a Moroccan resident because he did not know the president of Catalonia or the typical dance of the region.”

  24. Child rape: Senate panel reiterates call for public hanging (tribune, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://tribune.com.pk/story/1883413/1-senate-body-proposes-public-execution-child-molesters/

    “The Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Monday discussed the heartbreaking incident of rape and murder of a three-year-old child in Abbottabad and recommended public hanging for people committing such heinous crimes.

    The committee meeting chaired by Senator Rehman Malik also called for awarding seven-year-imprisonment and imposing Rs3.5 million fine on people found involved in child pornography.

    Earlier, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Alam Khan Shinwari briefed the committee about the tragedy that took place in Tehsil Havelian of Abbottabad and said the police are working day and night to identify the murderer.
    Malik laid stress on strict action against perpetrators of this heinous crime, adding that such individuals are not fit to be called humans. State Minister for Interior Shehryar Afridi was also of the view that a very strong recommendation must be made on this forum so that action is taken against such criminals.

    He said it is important to send a strong message that parliament and the government are on the same page on this issue. He recommended that perpetrators of this crime must be hanged publicly…”

  25. ‘Islamabad declaration’ to help fight terrorism, extremism: Tahir Ashrafi (tribune, Jan 9, 2019)
    https://tribune.com.pk/story/1884089/1-islamabad-declaration-help-fight-terrorism-extremism-tahir-ashrafi/

    “Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi on Tuesday said the objective of ‘Islamabad Declaration’ following a meeting on January 6, was to condemn all sorts of terrorism and extremism.

    Speaking to visiting delegates of different schools of thought, clerics and religious scholars, Ashrafi announced that the “4th International Message of Islam Conference” will be held on March 4 at the convention center in Islamabad.

    Over 5,000 prominent religious scholars and clerics will attend the conference from all over Pakistan including the Muslim world, said the prominent cleric of Pakistan, adding that, 2019 will be the year for eradication of terrorism, extremism and sectarian violence from Pakistan.

    The conference with consent of leading Islamic scholars will devise a strategy to tackle the prevailing challenges facing the Muslim world.

    “Menace of terrorism and extremism are a serious challenge for the Muslim world and Muslim youth was being misguided with wrong Islamic teachings,” said the council chairman.

    He urged the religious scholars to educate the masses about the true Islamic teachings with the help of modern communication tools.

    Ashrafi also announced that the central executive committee of Pakistan Ulema Council has decided to support the government to put the country on the right track.

    Maulana Qazi Matiullah Saeedi, Maulana Pir Habibur Rehman Shahjehani, Maulana Shafi Qasmi, Allama Tahirul Hassan and Maulana Zubair Zahid were also present on the occasion.

    The Pakistan Ulema Council, since its inception, has been raising voice for the cause of peace, stability and religious harmony in the country.

    It has also constituted a institution named “Dar-ul-Afta” to keep check on issuance of non-Islamic decrees which is due to start working from March 29 this year.”

  26. Turkey ready for new military incursion into Syria: Turkish president (hurriyetdailynews, Jan 8, 2019)
    http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-ready-for-new-military-incursion-into-syria-turkish-president-140356

    “Turkey is determined to eliminate the “terror corridor” in northern Syria and “makes no distinction between terrorist groups,” President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an said on Jan. 8, adding that Turkey’s preparations to eradicate ISIL in Syria’s north “together with other terrorist organizations” are underway.

    Very soon, we will act on neutralizing terrorist groups in Syria, and we will take out other terror groups that might try to prevent us from doing this,” Erdo?an said, addressing his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmakers in parliament.

    The president said Turkey would confront the YPG in the same way that it will take on ISIL. “For Turkey, there is no difference between the PKK, YPG, PYD or Daesh,” the president said, using the Arabic name for ISIL.

    “If they are terrorists, we will do what is necessary no matter where they come from,” he noted…”

  27. Turkey has potential to lead Muslims: Lebanese official (aa, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkey-has-potential-to-lead-muslims-lebanese-official/1359485

    “Turkey has the potential to lead Muslims with the cooperation of its “Arab brothers”, according to an official at Lebanon’s highest Sunni Muslim authority.

    Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Khaldoun Oraymet, head of Lebanon’s influential Dar al-Fatwa, said that Lebanon especially appreciated Turkey for its policy of non-sectarianism.

    Oraymet said: “Turkey plays an important role through the assistance and services it renders Lebanon.”

    “The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has carried out numerous projects in Lebanon, including building hospitals and restoring Ottoman-era monuments,” he added, referring to Turkey’s state-run aid agency.

    “We call on our Turkish brothers to cooperate with all Arab countries,” Oraymet said.

    He went on to assert that Muslims had played an “important role” throughout history, saying: “Muslims have the power to change the global balance and overcome their enemies if they stand together.””

  28. Iran says won’t wait Europeans on SPV (aa, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/iran-says-won-t-wait-europeans-on-spv/1358815

    “Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has criticized the EU’s slow action on the formation of a monetary channel to continue trade activities with Iran in the face of U.S. sanctions.

    Speaking to reporters during a visit to India on Tuesday, Zarif said Tehran would continue talks with the Europeans on the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), but would not stand by for them.

    He said that Iran would continue cooperation with its traditional partners such as India, Russia and China to ensure the Iranian interests.

    In September, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Russia, the UK and Iran agreed to build a financial mechanism to ease commercial activities with Iran, including natural gas trade.

    Tensions between Washington and Tehran have mounted since May, when U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew his country from the 2015 agreement.

    In August, the U.S. re-imposed a first round of sanctions that mainly targeted Iran’s banking sector.

    A second phase of sanctions — targeting Iran’s energy sector — came into effect on Nov. 5, although Washington granted a 180-day reprieve to the eight largest buyers of Iranian oil, including Turkey.”

  29. EU migrant breakthrough needed says Conte (ansa, Jan 8, 2019)
    http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2019/01/08/eu-migrant-breakthrough-needed-says-conte-5_f58b502f-153a-4198-bef9-62ba1531613b.html

    ” Italy will take in migrant children and parents from two NGO ships while a “turning point” is needed from the EU on migrants as Italy’s disappointment is “strong”, Premier Giuseppe Conte said Tuesday.

    “Italy has assumed a position of rigour, strong, a turning point compared to the past,” he said.

    “But it has been clear and structured: you need a structured approach in the management of flows.

    “The disappointment is strong, towards Europe.

    “Everyone has a truth, our truth is that we are fighting traffickers”.

    Italy has closed its ports to NGO rescue ships, two of which are currently off Malta having spent 18 days stranded in the Med with 49 migrants aboard.

    Conte added that Italy would take in children and parents “without betraying” its tough line.

    He said there was a limit to the policy of “rigour”.”

    • Sea Eye says negotiating over individual migrants ‘shameful’ (ansamed, Jan 8, 2019)
      http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/politics/2019/01/08/sea-eye-says-negotiating-over-individual-migrants-shameful_9d884893-de7e-4f3f-b1d5-34b433cd713d.html

      “Gorden Isler, director of the German NGO Sea Eye, told ANSA on Tuesday that negotiating over single migrants is “indecent, shameful”.

      “It gives the impression of a poker game over people’s destinies,” he said.

      Isler spoke to ANSA on the sidelines of a press conference held in Berlin, in which he talked about the current condition of the 17 migrants aboard the Sea Eye’s ship.

      The vessel remains without authorisation to dock at any port and is currently languishing off the coast of Malta.

      Isler called once again on the European Union to save the migrants.

      “I read that nine countries have given their willingness to accept migrants, but it’s not enough,” he said.

      “Politicians have an entire year to negotiate in Europe, meet with each other, discuss things, drink their coffees and find solutions. It’s shameful that a negotiation of this kind is taking place, over the destiny of 49 people,” he said.

      “Aboard our vessel there are 17 people, including one woman and a 17-year-old boy. For 10 days, they have been aboard a ship that wasn’t designed for passengers – it’s a research vessel. It could host at most about 20 people, while at the moment there are 35 aboard,” he said.

      He said the refugees “sleep in containers, some of them set up in our first aid station, but that’s a solution that can suffice at most for one, two days – certainly not 10”.

      “Food and water are rationed, and even though today the weather is OK, starting tomorrow it’s expected to worsen again, and the migrants will suffer once again from seasickness,” he said. Isler said the migrants aboard the Sea Eye range in age from 17 to 40 years, and come from various African countries: Sudan, Sierra Leone, Mali, Guinea, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, and Nigeria.

      “Sea Eye doesn’t have any contact with Italy,” Isler said.

      “We’re a small organisation that started just three years ago,” he said”

  30. Spain: migrant expulsions from centers up 39% in 2018 (ansamed, Jan 8, 2019)
    http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/generalnews/2019/01/08/spain-migrant-expulsions-from-centers-up-39-in-2018_57aca5ca-ae6f-4e16-bf69-82336f521288.html

    “The number of expulsions and forced repatriations of undocumented migrants has risen in 2018 compared to the previous five years. From January to October 2018 – the last month on which the Spanish foreign ministry provided data – a total of 3,596 migrants were expelled from hosting centers for foreigners, up 38.9% compared to the same period in 2017, according to data provided by the police general directorate, quoted by Servimedia.

    Over the entire course of 2017, 3,483 migrants were deported from the centers, compared to 2,871 in 2016, 2,205 in 2015 and 3,286 in 2014.

    The objective of the centers, which are not detention facilities, is to repatriate undocumented migrants back to their home countries in less than two months. They are otherwise free to go, although in an irregular situation, without documents.

    Between 2013 and 2017, Spain sent back home a reported 54,963 migrants – on average 30 people a day, according to data provided by the interior ministry.

    The numbers were provided in response to a parliamentary query by Unidos Podemos Senator Maribel Moras, quoted by newspaper El Pais, indicating the progressive decrease in the number of expulsions: 13,985 in 2013; 11,817 in 2014; 10,594 in 2015; 9,241 in 2016. A slight increase was recorded in 2017, when 9,326 people were expelled.

    Some 37% of forced repatriations concerned Moroccan and Algerian nationals, who came from countries with which Spain has signed bilateral readmission agreements. Those from Gambia and the Ivory Coast, who for example represented 24% of the 8,237 foreigners registered in hosting facilities, could not be easily repatriated. Only six were deported that year, according to data provided by the interior ministry. “

  31. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Syrian Democratic Forces claims five accused terrorists were captured during “Jazeera Storm.”

    One of them, Warren Christopher Clark, also known as Abu Muhammad, is originally from Houston.

    Clark has been on the radar before. Seamus Hughes, deputy director on the Program of Extremism at George Washington University, has been tracking Clark for a couple of years.

    “Everyone knew he held pretty radical beliefs, in fact, so much so that people pulled away from him and thought maybe he was an FBI informant. They didn’t really believe the stories he actually joined ISIS,” Hughes said.

    Hughes obtained copies of documents and Clark’s resume as they followed the pathways of Americans who traveled to join the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. His resume claims he is looking for a job to teach English in the Islamic State. It also says he received an education at the University of Houston from 2003 to 2007.

    https://abc13.com/man-with-houston-ties-accused-of-fighting-for-isis/5027158/

  32. Kevin Daley | Supreme Court Reporter

    A federal judge in Denver rejected Colorado’s bid to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that state civil rights officials are waging a campaign of harassment against Jack Phillips, the Christian baker at issue in the landmark Masterpiece Cakeshop case.

    The decision, released Friday, concludes that Phillips has developed at least some evidence of misconduct by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission.

    Three weeks after Phillips prevailed at the Supreme Court, a state anti-discrimination panel issued a new probable cause finding against him, arising from his refusal to create a gender transition cake for a would-be patron called Autumn Scardina. In turn, Phillips’ attorneys charged the panel with acting in bad faith, and asked a federal court to stop the new prosecution.

    “Colorado is acting in bad faith and with bias toward Jack,” said Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) attorney Jim Campbell, who represents Phillips. “We look forward to moving forward with this lawsuit to ensure that Jack isn’t forced to create custom cakes that express messages in conflict with his faith.”

    https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/01/07/jack-phillips-lawsuit-masterpiece-cake/

    • Three weeks after Phillips prevailed at the Supreme Court, a state anti-discrimination panel issued a new probable cause finding against him, arising from his refusal to create a gender transition cake for a would-be patron called Autumn Scardina.

      There’s gotta be a smartalecky wisecrack somewhere in this about:

      Let them eat “gender transition cake”!

      After all, we’re talking about people with some major oral fixations.

      (And, yes, it’s always about the food…)

  33. NBC News uses old photo to ‘prove’ Obama’s new home has no wall

    New Construction shows Obama’s new wall
    Since Trump’s claim about Obama’s wall, many have tried to verify whether the claim is true. Spero News can confirm that a 10-foot-wall was constructed in front of the entrance to the driveway, as well as a guardbooth to house Secret Service officers. We can also confirm that there are 10-foot columns spaced periodically in front of the house that extend the fencing from the driveway. The photos of the construction have circulated since 2017 when construction began. Despite the new construction, NBC News chose to lead their story about Mr. Trump’s claim with a photo of Obama’s house from 2016 that shows no construction of walls or fencing or columns or guardposts.

    https://www.speroforum.com/a/MIWGYNBAAF21/84514-NBC-News-uses-old-photo-to-prove-Obamas-new-home-has-no-wall

  34. Germany charges Syrian for killing that sparked Chemnitz violence (DW, Jan 8, 2019)
    https://www.dw.com/en/germany-charges-syrian-for-killing-that-sparked-chemnitz-violence/a-46999417

    “A Syrian asylum-seeker has been charged with manslaughter over a killing that triggered violent protests and clashes with police. But German authorities said one of the main suspects is still on the loose.

    German prosecutors on Tuesday formally charged a Syrian asylum-seeker with manslaughter and serious bodily harm in the killing of a German-Cuban citizen, which triggered violent protests in Chemnitz.

    Prosecutors said Alaa S. had fatally stabbed the man in his arm and chest, along with another alleged perpetrator, identified as Farhad A.

    Iraqi asylum-seeker Farhad A. fled after the attack and remains at large. But German authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for his arrest.

    Prosecutors said more than 100 witnesses were questioned through the investigation into the attack. They were able to determine that the incident began when Farhad A. engaged in an argument with the victim, after which he stabbed the man. Alaa S. later joined in.

    The 35-year-old victim suffered a heart attack and punctured lung during the attack, resulting in his death. The killing triggered violent far-right protests, counterdemonstrations and clashes in the eastern city…”

  35. UN under attack? World body hit hard after US pullback (france24, Jan 9, 2019)
    https://www.france24.com/en/20190109-un-under-attack-world-body-hit-hard-after-us-pullback

    “The year 2019 started off at the United Nations with Somalia brazenly kicking out the UN envoy, followed soon after by Guatemala ditching a UN-sponsored anti-corruption commission.

    After a tough year that saw the United States, the UN’s top financial backer, cut funding, pull out of the Human Rights Council and scrap UN-backed agreements, the United Nations is taking more hard hits.

    Some UN watchers are questioning whether the global organization created at the end of World War II to safeguard world peace is facing a slow demise, increasingly under attack by governments with nationalist agendas.

    Nearing the half-way mark in his five-year tenure, UN chief Antonio Guterres has warned that multilateralism is under fire at a time when the world needs it most.

    Leading the anti-UN charge is President Donald Trump whose America-First approach to foreign policy has emboldened other governments to thumb their noses at the United Nations, analysts say.

    “The UN is having a nerve-wracking start to 2019,” said Richard Gowan, senior policy fellow at UN University.

    While the United Nations may not be on the brink of total collapse, “the Trump administration’s attitude encourages others to defy the UN,” he said.

    On Monday, the new envoy for Syria, Geir Petersen of Norway, took up his post as the UN’s fourth peace broker, but the United Nations has been sidelined by Russia and Iran in its efforts to end nearly eight years of war.

    Peacekeeping — at the heart of the UN’s security approach — is under serious financial strain after the United States announced plans in late December to further cut back its budget contribution.

    Meanwhile, the Security Council is divided over how to respond to the elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    Both Somalia and Guatemala have cited UN interference to justify their decisions.

    UN envoy to Somalia Nicholas Haysom was declared persona non grata last week after he questioned the Mogadishu government’s decision to arrest an Al-Shabaab defector who ran for election.

    Guatemala announced it was unilaterally ending the mandate of a UN-backed anti-corruption commission that had been looking into President Jimmy Morales’ election campaign finances.

    – US abandons UN –

    Jeffrey Feltman, the UN’s former political chief who stepped down last year, worries that the United States and European powers no longer have the UN’s back when disagreements like those with Guatemala or Somalia arise.

    “What concerns me is that there no longer seems to be effective push-back against such decisions,” said Feltman, now a fellow at the Brookings Institution.

    Member states who would normally be expected to defend the principles have “abandoned traditional positions,” he said, citing the United States, or been consumed with political turmoil such as Britain with Brexit and EU countries with populism.

    “The UN secretariat, fearful of losing essential member state support, will not speak out forcefully, in the absence of sufficient member state backing,” he added.

    A potential bright spot is Yemen, where the United Nations has succeeded in bringing the warring sides to the table for negotiations on ending a horrific war — but UN diplomats caution that peace process is fragile.

    “The UN is being tested like perhaps never before,” said Louis Charbonneau, UN director for Human Rights Watch, who argues that stronger UN leadership is needed to help the world body survive this difficult moment.

    “The secretary-general should use his bully pulpit to call out abusers by name, no matter how powerful. We need him to be more of a general than a secretary.”

    Faced with setbacks, Guterres counters that people continue to see the UN as the best platform to address global problems, such as climate change.

    A major UN climate summit planned for September is shaping up as a key test of the UN’s relevance.”

    • Yes Sir. May I have another Sir!

      Quoting Animal House at a Counterjihad blog?!?

      You are hereby put on Double Secret Probation!