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 must use it while we can.
Turkey: Captured ISIS Figure Planned Russia, Germany Attacks
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2003841/turkey-captured-isis-figure-planned-russia-germany-attacks
“Turkey’s interior minister has identified a key ISIS suspect captured by the country’s forces in Syria as the alleged mastermind behind attacks in Russia and Germany, according to a newspaper report on Friday.
Turkey had announced last week that it detained an “important” ISIS figure but did not name him. In an interview published in Hurriyet newspaper, Suleyman Soylu identified the man as Yusuf Huba, describing him as a high-ranking ISIS member. Soylu said the man allegedly planned and ordered a bomb attack in Russia in 2018 as well as an attack at a supermarket in Germany.
Turkey has been highlighting what it says is its fight against ISIS, in the face of accusations that the Turkish military offensive last month to drive Syrian Kurdish fighters from northeast Syria would allow for a resurgence of the militant group.
The interior minister said the suspect is also known as Abu Jihad al-Din al-Nasir Ubeyde and is being held and questioned in Syria, in an area controlled by Turkey.
“We have captured a very senior ISIS member who is known as a bomber, bomb-maker, and mastermind of suicide bomb attacks,” he told Hurriyet.
It was not clear which attack in Russia in 2018 the minister was referring to. In a 2017 attack in the northern German port city of Hamburg, a 26-year-old Palestinian man killed one person and wounded six others in a stabbing spree at a supermarket.
Since its military incursion into Syria, Turkey has been deporting foreign ISIS members who are held in Turkish prisons or in Syria to their home countries. ISIS suspects from the United States, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands have been repatriated in the past two weeks. Turkey also plans to soon deport an Irish woman and her child as well as 11 French nationals.”
French Militant Gets 28 Years for Prison Attack
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2003896/french-militant-gets-28-years-prison-attack
“A Paris court on Friday sentenced a jailed radical to 28 years in prison for the attempted murder of two jail wardens in September 2016, the first militant attack in a French prison.
Bilal Taghi was serving a five-year sentence for attempting to travel to Syria when he stabbed two prison guards at Osny prison northwest of Paris using the hinge of his cell window, which he had sharpened, Agence France Presse reported.
He also etched the symbol of ISIS on a metal door and drew a heart on a window with the blood of his victims, it said.
After the attack the 27-year-old said he had wanted to kill a representative of the French state on behalf of ISIS and would do so again if given the chance.
He boasted about hoodwinking his jailors into believing he was someone “who could be reintegrated into society” by “being chatty.”
During his trial however he appeared contrite, apologizing for his actions and vowing that he had renounced extremism.
The prosecution dismissed his expressions of regret, describing him as a compulsive liar who was “irrevocably committed to radical ideology.”
His attack, which took place in a prison wing dedicated to combatting extremism, led to a review of the way in which radicalized prisoners are managed, AFP said.
Osny prison was one of four in France that had been chosen to trial dedicated counter-extremism wings after several militant attacks whose perpetrators had become radicalized in prison.
The inmates in the anti-radicalization wings were held separately from other prisoners, a fact that Taghi himself described as counter-productive.
“You bring together people who think the same way and tell them to all change. It doesn’t work,” he told the court.
After his attack, the authorities put in place a new program whereby convicted militants and prisoners suspected of having becoming radicalized undergo four months of screening.
Those who still harbor radical thoughts are placed in anti-radicalization programs while those considered very dangerous are placed in isolation units.”
Greece to ‘Shut the Door’ to Migrants Not Entitled to Asylum
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2003611/greece-shut-door-migrants-not-entitled-asylum
“Greece said on Friday it was deploying more border guards to “shut the door” to migrants not entitled to stay, the latest sign of a hardening stance against asylum seekers since a new surge in the number of arrivals.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told parliament he had approved the hiring of 400 guards at Greece’s land border with Turkey and another 800 guards for its islands. Greece will also upgrade its sea patrolling operations, he said, Reuters reported.
On Wednesday, the conservative government elected in July announced plans to shut overcrowded refugee camps on islands and replace them with more restrictive holding centers.
“Welcome in Greece are only those we choose. Those who are not welcomed will be returned,” Mitsotakis said.
“We will permanently shut the door to illegal human traffickers, to those who want to enter although they are not entitled to asylum.”
Greece was the main gateway into the European Union for more than a million people fleeing conflict in 2015-16.
Migrant and refugee arrivals from neighboring Turkey have risen again, and more than 37,000 people are crammed into facilities on islands which operate far beyond their capacity.
The government wants to move up to 20,000 people to the mainland by the end of the year, according to Reuters.
It has also designed a new framework to speed up the processing of asylum requests, which human rights groups have criticized as a “rushed” attempt that would impede access to a fair asylum process for refugees.”
UN: Saudi Arabia Biggest Supporter of Humanitarian Efforts In Yemen
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2003371/un-saudi-arabia-biggest-supporter-humanitarian-efforts-yemen
“Under-Secretary of the UN Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Coordinator for Relief Mark Lowcock said on Thursday that Saudi Arabia is the biggest supporter of humanitarian effort in Yemen…………….”
Twitter’s Saudi spy network leaves activists living in fear
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-spy-network-inside-twitter-put-dissidents-danger-activists-fear
How Traffickers Brainwashed Me Into Selling Myself—Courtney Litvak [Sex Trafficking Part 2]
Spain set for money laundering trial against uncle of Syria’s Assad
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191122-spain-set-for-money-laundering-trial-against-uncle-of-syrias-assad/
“Spain is heading towards a money laundering trial against an uncle of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, the High Court said on Friday, after an investigating judge finished his probe, Reuters reports.
The prosecuting office has ten days to comment on the judge’s recommendation that the case goes ahead, which is considered a formality, after which a trial start date will be set, the court said.
Two years ago, the High Court confiscated over 600 million euros ($663.24 million) of assets thought to be linked to Rifaat al-Assad.
He is a former military commander, widely held responsible for crushing an Islamist uprising in 1982 against then-president Hafez al-Assad, Bashar’s father. Many thousands were killed.
Rifaat al-Assad turned against the government in 1984 after a power struggle over who would succeed his older brother, Hafez. He now lives in exile between France and Britain.
He is also facing trial in France for allegedly acquiring millions of euros worth of French property assets. ($1 = 0.9046 euros) (Reporting by Emma Pinedo Gonzalez and Clara-Laeila Laudette; Writing by Clara-Laeila Laudette; Editing by Ingrid Melander and Andrew Cawthorne)”
How Predators Lured My Daughter Into Sex Trafficking—Kelly Litvak | American Thought Leaders
Arab League official says Turkey, Iran interventions crossed all red lines
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191122-arab-league-official-says-turkey-iran-interventions-crossed-all-red-lines/
“Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki said Turkish and Iranian meddling in Arab countries’ affairs have crossed all red lines, pointing to the importance of inter-Arab reconciliation.
In an interview with the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper published yesterday, Zaki said: “The issue of meddling is particularly clear in the case of Iran, because it is evident in the way it has dealt with its Arab neighbours for years: exporting its revolution through creating, arming and using militias in times of crisis or even peace. This has made the atmosphere tense in several countries.”
Remarking on Turkey, Zaki pointed out that a new and alarming course in Turkey’s behaviour: “What these two countries [Iran and Turkey] are doing has crossed all red lines.”
The Arab situation is extremely delicate, he continued, and requires careful handling so as not to allow external interventions to cause more harm.
“The Arab situation is difficult and has become more complicated during the last seven years, because of the divisions that have occurred in the Arab body,” he said.
He stressed that it is too early to judge the outcome of the protests in Iran, and their impact on Lebanon and Iraq.
Regarding the League’s position on the Syrian crisis, he said that the League is always ready to intervene, but the question is whether other parties are willing to allow the League to play its role in this file.”
Turkey repatriates dozens of Syrian refugees to border ‘safe zone’
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/11/22/turkey-repatriates-dozens-of-syrian-refugees-to-safe-zone
“Dozens of Syrian refugees were returned from Turkey on Friday in the first reported repatriations to the area targeted by Ankara’s offensive against Kurdish forces last month, state news agency Anadolu said.
Around 70 Syrians, including women and children, crossed from Ceylanpinar in Turkey to Ras Al-Ayn in Syria, Anadolu reported.
Muazzin al Mohammed, one of the refugees, said he had been living in Turkey for seven years, adding: “We are happy to return to our homeland. I was 11 years old when I left Ras Al-Ayn.”…”
Man punches, stomps on pregnant Muslim woman in Sydney cafe
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/11/22/pregnant-muslim-women-punched-stomped-on-in-sydney-cafe
“A heavily pregnant Muslim woman was brutally attacked by a stranger in a Sydney cafe late on Wednesday, Australian media reported on Thursday.
The horrifying ordeal, captured by CCTV, saw 31-year-old Rana Elasmar assaulted by a man who approached her as she sat with a group of friends at Bay Vista cafe on Church Street, Parramatta, at 10.30 pm.
The man can be seen stopping to talk to the three women, who don the Islamic headscarf.
He then suddenly leans over and punches the victim several times in the head and upper body, causing her to fall to the ground as her friends attempt to hold him back.
Elasmar was punched at least 14 times in the head before she fell on the floor and stomped on twice, according to the shocking footage.
She was taken to a local hospital, where she was later discharged.
The attacker, identified as Stipe Lozina, 43, allegedly made a comment about Muslims before attacking the woman, according to local media reports.
He was arrested and charged with assault causing bodily harm. His request for bail was denied by Parramatta Local Court.
Local police praised the efforts of the bystanders who intervened…”
Morocco Safer Than US, France Despite Dropping in 2019 Terror Index
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/11/287352/morocco-us-france-dropping-terror-index/
“The 2018 murder of two Scandinavian tourists in Imlil in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains has impacted the country’s position on the 2019 Global Terror Index.
This year’s report listed Morocco as the 92nd least safe country out of 163 countries, with a score of 1.215.
In the 2018 index, Morocco ranked 132nd out of 163 countries.
The Imlil murder impacted Morocco’s position in the index notably, with the country dropping 40 places on the index. Despite the change, Morocco appears among the countries with a very low impact from terrorism.
“Morocco experienced one terrorist attack last year, its first since 2015. Two tourists were killed by Jihadi-inspired extremists who pledged allegiance to ISIL in a video. Previously ISIL had not been present in Morocco,” the report said.
The heinous attack on the two tourists led Morocco to increase efforts to strengthen its counter-terrorism approach. Morocco’s strategy is considered as one of the strongest in the world, with Morocco dismantling several terror cells each year.
In 2015, Morocco introduced the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ), a unit collaborating with other security services to thwart terror threats across Morocco.
Morocco also launched a policy that allowed law enforcement to apprehend ISIS fighters returning from conflict zones in Iraq and Syria for investigation and put them in custody.
Terror suspects and returnees typically receive sentences ranging from 10 to 15 years in prison.
Morocco also put in place a program to counter violent extremism through strict security measures, regional cooperation, intelligence sharing, the promotion of moderate Islam, and democratic reform.
The program includes the “Moussalaha” or reconciliation approach. The strategy seeks to reintegrate suspects convicted of terror-related crimes into society.
Morocco remains world’s counter-terror leader
Despite the deterioration, Morocco remains safer than many international powers, including the US, the UK, Canada, and France.
Morocco is also safer than neighboring countries in the ranking, such as Algeria (54th), and Tunisia (51st).
Unlike Tunisia, and other countries that have experienced terror threats, the level of terrorism and ISIS activity in Morocco is very limited.
Morocco has only experienced a few terrorist attacks. Prior to the Imlil murders, the last incident dates back to 2011 at Argana, a renowned cafe in Marrakech Jemaa El Fna square.
The four main perpetrators of the Imlil murder pledged allegiance to ISIS, but the terror group has never claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The Moroccan government, however, referred to the crime as a terror attack seeking to create fear and undermine Morocco’s stability and security.
Morocco’s BCIJ arrested 24 individuals involved in the terror murders, sentencing three of the main perpetrators to the death penalty.
The court confirmed the sentences in an appeal session in October. The Sale Court of Appeal upheld the prison terms ranging from 5 to 30 years for the other defendants and increased the jail term for one of the defendants from 15 to 20 years.”
87% of Moroccan Children Do Not Do Enough Physical Exercise
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/11/287346/87-moroccan-children-physical-exercise/
Pakistan grapples with drug-resistant typhoid outbreak
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2104685/1-pakistan-grapples-drug-resistant-typhoid-outbreak/
“KARACHI: Early this year Muhammad Haider Sajjad, a thin bespectacled boy of 15, was hospitalized in country’s commercial capital, Karachi.
Doctors suspected typhoid, but when the most common antibiotics failed to work, the boy’s family began to panic.
Sajjad is one of more than 11,000 people, mostly children, to have contracted a drug-resistant strain of the infection in the country since 2016, and which experts say risks spreading internationally.
He survived, but hundreds have died, predominantly in the southern province of Sindh.
In response government, already battling outbreaks of polio and dengue, has launched a huge foreign-funded vaccination drive that began on Nov 15.
Some 3.4 million children have been vaccinated in the last four days in Karachi and the neighboring city of Hyderabad where the outbreak was first reported, said James Fulker, a spokesperson for GAVI, a Geneva-based partnership funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that is administering the vaccine.
Kept out of school for three months, Sajjad passed the time by tallying the daily rounds of shots given during his treatment – 84 in all.
“I had not much to do during my illness. I used to keep count of injections I was being given,” he said.
The latest strain is resistant to all but one antibiotic used to treat typhoid, a bacterial infection transmitted by human faeces. If it develops resistance to this final antibiotic treatment, disease experts say, death rates among those infected could rise dramatically to as much as 20%.
HYGIENE CRISIS
Sanitation is a major issue in Pakistan, especially in Karachi, a sprawling port city of more than 15 million on the Arabian Sea.
Here, political infighting between two regional parties over refuse collection has seen huge mounds of garbage pile up in the street.
Reuters visited several areas where the vaccine was being administered, predominantly in low income areas with poor quality, illegal housing.
“Typhoid is a nightmare in countries like Pakistan because the hygienic situation is not good,” said Muhammad Khalid Shafi, a pediatrician and associate professor at Dow Medical College in Karachi.
Resistance to immunization programs has hampered attempts to stamp out other diseases.
In July, officials working on polio prevention told Reuters that parents suspicious of mass immunization campaigns have been getting hold of special markers, used by health workers to put a colored spot on the little fingers of children who have been vaccinated.
They said in some areas, as many as 8% of families may be refusing or avoiding vaccination, a level which would mean the disease is not eradicated.
In several areas of Karachi, local mosques make announcements urging parents to get their children vaccinated against typhoid, especially in low-income neighborhoods.
The costs of refusing vaccination can be steep. The only antibiotic treatment to the latest strain of typhoid is expensive. Sajjad’s father, Syed Ahmed Jafer, estimates the cost of his treatment at 400,000 Pakistani rupees ($2,584) – a huge sum for almost any family in the country.
“People should not be afraid of this campaign,” he said.
“There is no cheap treatment, it cannot be ignored.””
K-P to strictly monitor charities
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2104237/1-k-p-strictly-monitor-charities/
“With the country coming under intense scrutiny over how money is used by charitable organisations, the provincial government on Thursday decided to form a commission which will closely monitor funds being collected by such establishments.
This was directed during a meeting of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) cabinet, which convened with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair on Thursday.
Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, K-P Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai said that the commission will comprise five members.
“The commission will be headed by the Interior secretary with four other members to work on regularizing charity collection in the province,” the minister said.
He added that the government has already been working to monitor and regulate how charitable organisations collect funds but the commission will help plug any holes and make the process bulletproof.
“Pakistan has to comply with demands made in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to prove that we are a responsible nation and are fully cooperating with international efforts to combat terrorism by blocking financial support to extremists and terrorist organizations,” he said, adding that the provincial cabinet has also approved corrections in printing errors in clauses (0) and (r) of the K-P Charity Act 2019…”
China spurns US fears of Pakistan’s CPEC debts
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2104737/1-china-dismisses-us-warning-pakistan-cpec/
“A top Chinese diplomat has angrily spurned US criticism of his country’s multibillion-dollar infrastructure push in Pakistan as he publicly gave point-by-point reply to the objections raised by the acting US assistant secretary of state on Friday.
Alice Wells, President Trump’s aide on South Asia, warned Islamabad that it faced long-term economic damage with little return if Beijing keeps pursuing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which, according to her, would profit only China.
CPEC, heralded as a game-changer by both Pakistan and China, “is going to take a growing toll on the Pakistan economy, especially when the bulk of payments start to come due in the next four to six years,” Wells said at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
“Even if loan payments are deferred, they are going to continue to hang over Pakistan’s economic development potential, hamstringing Prime Minister (Imran) Khan’s reform agenda,” she added.
However, China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing rebuffed the allegations, saying that Sino-Pak relationship was mutually beneficial and based on “win-win cooperation” for both sides. While speaking at the 5th CPEC Media Forum in Islamabad later in the day, Yao said China has always come forward to assist Pakistan in need without any political or government differences.
“If Pakistan is in need, China would never ask Pakistan to repay its loans in time,” he said while pointing out that the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is mainly governed by the West, was strict in its repayment system. The global lending agency approved a $6 billion loan in July to help resuscitate Pakistan’s ailing economy.
Alice Wells also said that “CPEC is not about aid,” as she claimed that the United States offered Pakistan a better model. Ambassador Yao, however, questioned why the US had suspended its aid promised for Pakistan only because of political priorities.
The top US diplomat noted that CPEC was driven by non-concessionary loans, with Chinese companies sending their own labour and material. “CPEC relies primarily on Chinese workers and supplies, even amid rising unemployment in Pakistan,” she said.
The Chinese ambassador, however, rebuffed Wells’ allegation, saying that so far more than 75,000 Pakistani workers had been given jobs in the CPEC projects, while around 2.3 million jobs were expected to be created in these projects by 2030.
While acknowledging that Washington could not come to Pakistan, a historic ally of the United States, with offers from state-run companies, Wells said private US investment, coupled with US grants, would improve the troubled economy’s fundamentals.
“There is a different model,” she said. “Worldwide we see that US companies bring more than just capital; they bring values, processes and expertise that build the capacities of local economies.”
She pointed to interest in Pakistan by US companies including Uber, Exxon Mobil, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, with the soft-drink makers together investing $1.3 billion in the country.
Ambassador Yao welcomed the US investment offer while dismissing that China’s promises in Pakistan are limited to the development of Gwadar into a world-class port. “I would be more happy to see more investment coming from the United States in Pakistan,” he said while reiterating that China was determined to build capacities of Pakistani businessmen and industrialists to boost productivity which would ultimately help in increasing local exports.
Under CPEC, the envoy said China would provide industrial cooperation to Pakistan and for this purpose over two dozen leading Chinese and Pakistani manufacturers and industrialists were engaged to boost production and exports of Pakistan.
Ambassador Yao was “astonished” at Alice Wells’ statement of higher tariff in power plants, established under CPEC, saying that he himself had earlier briefed the US diplomat about the tariff structure of these plants and told that the tariff structure was the lowest among all the countries to whom Chinese companies provide electricity.
“When in 2013, the Chinese companies were establishing power plants in Pakistan, where was the United States? Why it did not invest in Pakistan’s power sector despite knowing that Pakistan was in dire need of electricity,” he questioned.
About the US allegation of corruption in CPEC projects, the Chinese envoy said it was easy to level allegations without evidences. He said that he himself had discussed this matter with a number of concerned stakeholders, including the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), but did not find even a single evidence of corruption in any CPEC project.
“My dear American colleague, before alleging anyone, please be careful that you have enough evidences about certain allegations,” he added.
With regard to the Main Line (ML-1) railway project that is to be executed under CPEC, the Chinese envoy clarified that the project cost is around $9 billion; however, it is only estimation and not the final cost. “The real cost of the project will be finalised in the second stage of determining financial package of the project,” he said.
The United States has gone on the offensive against China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a signature project of President Xi Jinping which aims to build ports, highways and railways around the world. The multibillion-dollar CPEC is a part of President Xi’s BRI vision.
The Chinese ambassador sought to enlist Pakistan media’s help in nullifying the effects of propaganda against CPEC. “Media is a major vehicle of information and platform of interaction”, he said and added that “media from both Pakistan and China have already been playing a role in promoting state-to-state relations.”
Speaking at the Islamabad event, Senator Shibli Faraz, leader of the house in the Senate, said that the media was playing an important role in projecting CPEC and bilateral relations of Pakistan and China. He also thanked China for assisting Pakistan in difficult time.
Chairman Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed said today CPEC had become a success story only because of true relationships and the media of the two countries, which had been playing important role in negating the propaganda from certain international stakeholders.”
Turkey seizes lists of Daesh/ISIS operatives
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-seizes-lists-of-daesh-isis-operatives/1652868
“The Turkish intelligence and security forces in the country’s south seized recruitment lists of Daesh/ISIS terror group, which carry names of its operatives and their nationalities.
The operation was launched by Mersin’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office to capture a Syrian suspect.
The suspect was arrested in the Tarsus district, and a number of digital material — including lists of Daesh operatives — were also seized during the operation.
Since 2016, Turkey has conducted three successful operations in northern Syria against the terrorist YPG/PKK and Daesh/ISIS: Operation Euphrates Shield (2016-17), Operation Olive Branch (2018) and Operation Peace Spring.
Since recognizing Daesh as a terror group in 2013, Turkey has been attacked by Daesh/ISIS terrorists numerous times, including 10 suicide bombings, seven bombings, and four armed attacks which killed 315 people and injured hundreds.
In response to the attacks, Turkey launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad, neutralizing 3,500 Daesh terrorists and arresting 5,500.”
Salvini Alan Kurdi migrant-ship case shelved
http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2019/11/22/salvini-alan-kurdi-migrant-ship-case-shelved_e8b6650c-e951-48fd-a492-2508cc0bcc8d.html
“The Italian court of ministers, upholding a request by the Rome prosecutor’s office, on Friday shelved an probe in which former interior minister Matteo Salvini had been under investigation for abuse of office.
The case involved the minister’s actions concerning the Alan Kurdi migrant rescue ship run by the Sea Eye NGO in April 2019. The investigation into prefect Matteo Piantedosi, head of the interior minister cabinet, has also been shelved. The German NGO ship had saved 64 migrants onboard a dinghy off Libya. After League leader Salvini refused to allow the ship – which had women and children among the passengers – to dock, on April 13 it arrived on Malta and the migrants were distributed between Germany, France, Luxembourg, and Portugal. Salvini, who was previously also the deputy prime minister, is not in the new government but still leads the right-wing, anti-migrant League. He issued a security decree in July that allows Italy to fine private rescue vessels up to one million euros, seize them, and prosecute their captains if they enter Italian waters without authorization.”
Germany: 1 in 4 children suffers from mental illness
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-1-in-4-children-suffers-from-mental-illness/a-51377229
“Data from a German health insurer reveals that every fourth child in Germany suffers from mental illness. Many end up staying in a hospital, with the average stay lasting more than a month.
One in four children in Germany suffers from mental illness, a new study of patient data from German health insurance company DAK released Thursday revealed.
The survey of child and teenager mental health was based on data collected from 800,000 children insured by DAK in 2016 and 2017.
Alarming results
The data indicated that 24% of children display psychological anomalies. Just under 2% of children between the ages of 10 and 17 is diagnosed with depression and 2.2% with an anxiety disorder.
According to DAK, extrapolating their patient data onto Germany’s total population of 10- to 17-year-olds would mean a total of 238,000 children suffering from these conditions.
The data also showed that the rate of child depression was up 5% in 2017 from the year before.
Mental illness ranks fifth place among common child illnesses, behind respiratory illnesses, infections, and eye and skin problems. Depression only makes up a small share of mental illnesses, with developmental and behavioral conditions accounting for the bulk of this category.
Girls more susceptible
Girls are twice as likely as boys to suffer from depression, with a distinct divergence in the data starting at age 14.
Some 17% of young patients were prescribed anti-depressive medication in 2017. Up to 8% of those affected ended up being treated in a clinic, with the average stay lasting at least 39 days. About a quarter of these patients will return to the clinic for further treatment.
“Clearly we have gaps in treatment following hospital stays that we urgently need to close. A rehospitalization rate of 24% is alarming,” said DAK president Andreas Storm.
Children with chronic physical problems are significantly more likely to suffer from depression, as are children with parents who are themselves mentally ill or who suffer from an addiction.
“Certain school children have a higher risk for depression. These children often suffer quietly before they receive an appropriate diagnosis. We all have to pay more attention,” said Storm, “whether within our families, at school, or in our clubs.”
US judge orders Iran pay $180 mn to reporter over detention
https://www.france24.com/en/20191122-us-judge-orders-iran-pay-180-mn-to-reporter-over-detention
“A US court on Friday ordered the government of Iran to pay nearly $180 million in damages to an Iranian-American journalist who was jailed by Tehran on espionage charges in 2014.
A US District Court judge ordered the damages be paid to Jason Rezaian and his family in compensation for pain and suffering as well as economic loss for the 18-month detention, when he was physically abused, deprived of sleep and medical care and threatened with execution.
The decision is largely symbolic. Iran did not answer the lawsuit, according to Rezaian’s employer The Washington Post, and the Islamic republic is not expected to pay the damages.
The Iranian-American Rezaian was the Post’s Tehran correspondent when he was arrested, and spent 544 days in an Iranian prison, a pawn in an international chess match that resulted with his release in January 2016 in exchange for seven Iranians held in the United States.
His Iranian-born wife Yeganah was arrested with him but released after two months. The couple were caught up in a power struggle among Iran’s leadership over the country’s nuclear deal and Tehran’s relations with the West.
The court ordered Iran to pay Rezaian $23.8 million for pain and suffering and economic losses, his brother Ali $2.7 million, and their mother Mary $3.1 million for similar claims.
Iran was to pay an additional $150 million in punitive damages to the family as a whole.
“The Rezaians presented evidence showing that Iran arrested and detained Jason to increase its bargaining leverage in ongoing negotiations with the United States,” Judge Richard Leon said in a 30-page opinion.
“Holding a man hostage and torturing him to gain leverage in negotiations with the United States is outrageous, deserving of punishment and surely in need of deterrence,” he added.
Rezaian and three other Americans were released on January 16, 2016, the day the nuclear agreement that was signed in Vienna six months earlier went into force.”
“Climate freaks arrested in Pelosi’s office…”
by Kane – November 22, 2019
https://www.citizenfreepress.com/breaking/climate-freaks-arrested-in-pelosis-office/
“Prince Andrew kicked out of Buckingham Palace over Jeffrey Epstein scandal” by Ebony Bowden – November 22, 2019
https://nypost.com/2019/11/22/prince-andrew-kicked-out-of-buckingham-palace-over-jeffrey-epstein-scandal/
John F. Kennedy
May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963
Radical unhinged leftists protested @AnnCoulter at UC Berkeley. So much for “tolerance”
Via THE SCOOP@TheScoop_US
https://twitter.com/i/status/1198084426707529728
Jeff Nyquist – Twitter
Interesting Story Anti-Despot Humanist
A Brief Comment on the Hearings of the House Intel
https://twitter.com/JRNyquist
“Impeachment hearings: a globalist cabal aiming for dominance?: Rudolf B & JR Nyquist”
Rudolf Baresic – November 22, 2019